A TRADER is failing to see the funny side of a bizarre row with a stand-up comedian.

Landlord Ray Wright took Whitefield man Ross Wagman to court to claim £6,600 in unpaid rent and repair bills and the court ordered repayment at just £1 a month — so Mr Wright would be aged 614 when the debt is settled.

But Mr Wright realised it was no joke when payments stopped after just five months, so he returned to Bury County Court on February 19.

Now the 68-year-old, from Cheshire, says he has obtained the legal authority to call in sheriffs, who can recover the cash from Mr Wagman directly.

Mr Wagman, who has written pilot episodes for the BBC and also writes children's stories, insists he has done nothing wrong and claims he has always stuck to the instructions of his lawyers.

Things took a strange twist on Friday when Mr Wright received a card that reads: "Happy birthday — 614 years old! Final instalment, £1. Love Ross."

A pound coin was attached to the card, which Mr Wright alleges is from Mr Wagman.

Mr Wright said: "The whole thing is a bit of a shame because I have known Ross’s family for decades. I knew his dad very well."

The row centres around the fact that a company that Mr Wagman was the director of an auctioneering firm that rented an industrial unit in Stocks Street, Cheetham Hill.

The company left the building in early 2012 and Mr Wright claims rent was owed and he had to spend £2,000 restoring the unit.

A district judge agreed, leading to the £1-a-month order, which has now been ripped up.

"I am just trying to earn a living and this experience has been very stressful," said Mr Wright.

"I was astonished by the original court order. It was a ludicrous thing to decide, but I am pleased that progress has been made. I just want everything to be settled."

Mr Wagman, who was a Citylife Comedy Competition finalist in 2003, said: "I was director of a company that rented business premises from Euromerchandising Properties Limited.

"During a tough trading period, the rent was suddenly increased by 50 per cent."

Mr Wright described the allegation as "rubbish."

Mr Wagman added: "We were forced to leave the premises, leaving behind stock and fixtures to the value of around £18,000.

"After receiving court papers, we took professional advice and presented information to the court from which they made a decision.

"I have been professionally advised throughout and intend to continue to do so.

"I have not had any contact from sheriffs."