A man who missed a £100 council tax bill after he was almost killed in a motorbike crash saw his debt skyrocket to about £1,000.

Mike Barley was involved in an accident in March 2021 that put him in hospital for a month with broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and severe injuries to his arms and legs.

On the very same day as the accident, Mr Barley was sent a council tax bill for an instalment of £101.71.

The 26-year-old from Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, said he was "stuck" on sick pay of £90 a week at the time.

However, after telling his local council he would not be able to pay, they sent another letter, in June 2021, setting out a payment plan.

The plan included two months of reduced payments but then demanded Mr Barley pay the rest of the year's payments in advance, a total of about £1,000.

Mr Barley told the BBC: "I've got no income any more - I can't work, I can't walk. Where is this money going to come from?"

While this was in line with usual practice for councils in England, charities have warned the current system punishes people who are genuinely struggling to pay.

Mike Barley is at war with North East Lincolnshire Council

Mr Barley's case was passed to bailiffs after further reminder letters and warnings.

The bailiffs sent him a "threatening letter" telling him they would be coming over to seize and sell his belongings to help pay off his debt.

Mr Barley said he tried to dispute the charges he faced because of the late bill, but received no support and bailiffs continued to deliver letters to his home.

"It just makes you trapped, depressed," he said.