A builder who was locked in a bitter dispute with former BBC journalist Susan Bookbinder has had a crown court case against him dropped.

Michael Freeman, 62, was charged with four offences of unfair commercial practice after a row with the newsreader over an escalating bill for a garden makeover.

At St Albans Crown Court today Andrew Johnson, who was representing Hertfordshire Trading Standards, offered no evidence against Mr Freeman of South Road, Chorleywood.

But Mr Freeman, who runs Chorleywood Construction, agreed to pay for the work on Ms Bookbinder's home on The Common in the town to be rectified.

It had earlier been reported that in 2014 Ms Bookbinder, who worked for Radio 5 Live and as a newsreader on BBC East Midlands Today, agreed to pay Mr Freeman £3,400 to lay slabs and erect decking.

But she then agreed to have more work done and, in August 2014, the builder handed her a bill for £21,500.

The 53-year-old paid off £19,000, but then said the garden and patio deteriorated and asked Mr Freeman to pay £5,000.

Before a jury was sworn the judge, Recorder David Osborne, said: "In ordinary circumstances the case would be dealt with in a civil court. Both sides are in an entrenched position and the crown court is being used to play out a dispute."

After a short adjournment for the lawyers to take instructions, Mr Johnson told the judge: "An accommodation has been reached. The defendant has given an undertaking to the court that he will rectify the issues and will be in contempt of court if they are breached."

Within 28 days Mr Freeman has to find three builders' quotes to rectify the work which will be agreed by a surveyor who was to act for the prosecution. The work is to be carried out within four months.

Earlier, Duncan Cooke for Mr Freeman said: "His business has been ruined since a media campaign was launched by the complainant. He has lost all his work."

Mr Freeman was also made the subject of a 12 month restraining order banning him from contact with Ms Bookbinder or her son.