A FLAMBOYANT businessman from Helmsley who went bankrupt last year is planning a dramatic comeback.

Guy Brudenell, who has interests in student accommodation, hotels and residential property, has claimed he has raised £7 million to repay all of his creditors in full.

Mr Brudenell said he was entering court proceedings where he expected the bankruptcy to be annulled, allowing him to resume his shareholdings and directorships.

He plans to resume projects by his student accommodation business, Campus Lifestyle, which includes a 350-bed facility in York.

He also plans to resume work on townhouse development Cannons Garth, to the rear of the Feversham Arms Hotel in Helmsley, and he is also drawing up new plans for 14 residential properties on the site of the Black Swan Hotel, also in Helmsley.

He said: “It is the perfect time to re-enter the sector in my opinion.

“The current low point in the market means that investors are becoming more supportive of the right schemes on the right terms.

“Saying this, it will be a slow and gradual recovery and I am more than prepared for that.’’ Mr Brudenell had business interests in aviation, hotels and restaurants and property companies based in the UK, the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Isles, when he was declared bankrupt in September last year.

He is a well-known figure in Nawton, near Helmsley, where he sparked controversy by landing his helicopter in the grounds of his home, Kirkdale Lodge.

Although he was legally entitled to land there, he built a new helipad north of the village centre.

Kirkdale Lodge also had its own cricket pitch and was put up for sale in April 2007 for £1.3 million.

The entrepreneur also made a name for himself with his flamboyant wedding to now ex-wife Pennita Wilshire, who turned up at the wedding in a glass carriage like Katie Price in her wedding to Peter Andre.

Mr Brudenell also did a parachute jump with the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, in May last year in aid of the Afghanistan Trust.