THE District Auditor has been bombarded with nearly 9,000 letters of protest from furious ratepayers. Printed and distributed by the Waltham Forest RatepayersAction Group, they encourage householders to add theirnames and signatures.

At a meeting on Monday, the group also discussed the legalissue of the rate rise. Local Chambers of Commerce andother pockets of protestors are working to present a limitedfront.

Documents have been sent to a leading barrister for his legalopinion on whether the group has a case to take to the HighCourt.

The decision should be known next week. Until then thequestion of Chingford splitting from the borough will be left.

The group was concerned that last night's (Thursday) councilmeeting protest should go off peacefully.

Crowds of objectors were expected to converge on WalthamForest Town Hall to lobby councillors.