HUNGER protester Mike Savage has been dealt another blow in his campaign for justice.

The 46-year-old, who runs Model Motors, Bourne End, says he has been refused a meeting he was promised to resolve a compensation claim with VAT officials.

Mr Savage mounted a three-week hunger strike outside Maidenhead's Customs and Excise offices in September after being wrongly accused of financial irregularities totalling £50,000 in 1997.

Inland Revenue officers issued an apology and offered £100 compensation, ending the protest, but Mr Savage blasted the hand-out and is seeking a larger settlement. The father-of-two said he was promised face-to-face talks with Customs and Excise bosses but the offer has since been retracted.

He said: "The top guy has declined to have the meeting. It is not looking good for my claim but I'm not going to let them get away with £100 for messing up my life. I'm looking for a lot more than that."

Mr Savage, who is 5ft 8ins tall and weighed 14st before his ordeal, lost 2st during the three-week abstinence. He had promised "to go all the way, just like Bobby Sands" before the stand-off ended.

His fight has been backed by MP Dominic Grieve (Con, Beaconsfield) who has written to the head of Customs and Excise and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the beleaguered trader's behalf.

Mr Grieve told the Free Press after the strike he thought the maximum level of compensation should be raised from £250 to £1,000, and added that he sympathised with Mr Savage.

Mr Savage said: "I'm going to have that meeting and if I don't get it, there's going to be big trouble."

Thames Valley Customs and Excise spokesman Amanda Spencer said the department is currently unable to comment on the wrangle because the official alleged to have agreed to meet Mr Savage is on leave.

She added: "I don't know what was arranged, myself."