HACKNEY Council has won a David and Goliath battle against Nike.

The global sportswear giant paid the council, in north east London, £300,000 in an out of court settlement after the company produced an unauthorised range of clothing bearing the council's name and logo.

Nike sold the goods - which were meant to celebrate Hackney Marshes, home of the Sunday league - all over the world.

Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe pledged to spend the money on sports development for young people of the borough.

"Our legal team advised us that this was a fair settlement based on the amount of gear sold. This is extra money to spend on sports activities in Hackney, and shows that it was worth standing up to Nike," she said.

"This was always about more than cash - there is a serious principle at stake here. Just because we are a public organisation, it does not mean that big corporations can take what they want from local people without asking.

"We are very glad that Nike agreed to play ball without going to court. I know that this result was in no small part due to the support we have had from local people, and from the media, and I'd like to thank everyone who helped us achieve this."

Nike's Hackney range sought to capitalise on the company's association with Hackney Marshes where the famous 'Parklife' commercial starring Eric Cantona was filmed in the 1990s.

The council's soliciter Gregor Grant said: "It was an unusual case because Hackney is a public sector organisation. Usually these disputes are between two profit making companies.

"Many public organisations have not seen the need to trade mark logos or establish copyright, especially with older designs. This case shows that it really is worthwhile for the public sector to ensure its intellectual property rights are established."