FORMER childrens’ TV star Wilf Lunn has been threatened with court action in a boat yard bust-up.

Kevin O’Donnell, landlord of the Navigation Tavern pub, has accused people who use the neighbouring Mirfield Boat Yard – including Mr Lunn – of criminal damage.

Yesterday boat owners cut down a metal post, installed by Mr O’Donnell, that was blocking access to the yard.

They wanted to get a crane in so Mr Lunn, best known for 1970s show Vision On, could hoist his boat, Sally, onto the canal.

The 65-year-old has spent seven years, and thousands of pounds, restoring the vessel.

And things were looking ship shape when the launch went without a hitch.

But shortly after Mr Lunn and wife Liz cracked open the bubbly, the police arrived at the yard, off Station Road, following a call from Mr O’Donnell.

And there could be stormy waters ahead if the pub owner succeeds in his threat to take legal action.

Mr O’Donnell said: “The boatyard owners have committed criminal damage and I shall be taking them to court.”

It is the latest chapter in a long-running dispute.

In March, 2004, Huddersfield County Court ordered that Mirfield Boat Yard be allowed full access for people and vehicles for all purposes via the path to the south of the pub.

Mr O’Donnell was ordered to remove a bollard which was impeding long vehicle access to the yard. He was ordered to pay £8,100 court costs.

The Appeal Court rejected a subsequent appeal.

Boatyard owner Chris Kirk yesterday said the police had told her they had not done anything wrong.

She said: “They told us we were well within out rights as it was a wilful obstruction.”

She added that the people who used the yard did not know why Mr O’Donnell had a problem with them.

“He just seems to take issue with anyone who comes in here. It’s almost like he has some sort of vendetta.”

Brighouse-born Mr Lunn, who now lives at Kirkburton, hit the screens as an eccentric inventor in the BBC’s Vision On.

He went on to present several popular TV shows, including Jigsaw.

Yesterday he said he was relieved his boat was finally on the water.

He said: “I was worried it might sink. We need to see how it goes for a few weeks, but it feels fantastic to finally have it on the water.”