A YORK man today spoke of his relief after attempts to pursue him for a bill for more than £350 for a "free prize" were dropped.

Adam Scaum, 20, of Heworth, was threatened with court action if he did not pay a fitness company for a three-year gym membership - which he believed he had won as a prize.

Now the company, AMC, has told the Evening Press the matter is closed and no further action will be taken. "I am really relieved," said Mr Scaum.

"I was really worried about the court action, and their asking me for a total of £450 which I don't think I owed them.

"Now I'm just wondering what on earth went on, why I was asked for money which they are now saying I don't have to pay.

"It was all supposed to be free anyway, what's happened?"

Mr Scaum was confused after receiving a demand from a debt recovery company for a total of £450, saying that if he did not pay court action would be taken.

He said he signed up to the Olympia Gym, in Layerthorpe, after being given a voucher for free gym membership.

"But now three years later I receive a bill for £367.54, plus costs taking it up to £450," he said. He said it was not explained to him that he had to pay £2.50 a week maintenance charge, adding up to £367.54 for three years.

He said: "If I had been paying that much, nearly £400, I would have been (to the gym) more than twice, but as it was it was free, so it didn't matter if I didn't go."

Gym manager Paul House said: "It's nothing to do with us, he didn't join with us, but with AMC, who ran the promotion, who are another company altogether."

A spokesman for AMC said Mr Scaum's situation was unusual, as he was aged under 18 when he joined, which meant he could cancel it if he did not want it.

He said although Mr Scaum had not notified them of this he was no longer to be pursued for the debt.

"There is no problem from his point of view, as far as we are concerned the matter is closed," he said.

Updated: 08:47 Wednesday, July 30, 2003