Greenwich Council's legal fight to keep publishing its own newspaper is likely to cost the taxpayer at least £120,000 if it proves unsuccessful.

Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Denise Hyland made the admission during a meeting at the town hall last week.

Secretary of State Eric Pickles had ordered the council to cease publishing Greenwich Time more than quarterly - but the local authority has refused, leading to a judicial review.

And, according to council figures, just over £30,000 has been spent by Greenwich on the challenge so far, including £22,320 on legal fees, with a £120,000 estimate for the overall cost.

Leader of Greenwich Conservatives Councillor Matt Hartley has attacked the decision to keep fighting for the paper - branded pro-Labour propaganda by critics.

Coun Hartley said: "I am deeply concerned over rumours that Labour councillors have decided to try save Greenwich Time 'at all costs'. 

"The council’s legal challenge is an outrageous misuse of taxpayers’ money – especially at a time of significant financial pressures elsewhere – and should be abandoned immediately. 
 
"It is time for this charade to end.  The only reason Greenwich Time exists is to help the Labour Party, week in and week out, win whatever set of elections are coming up next – and the hardworking council taxpayers of our borough should not be expected to fund the Labour Party’s political campaigning."

However, Coun Hyland told the meeting that attempts to outlaw the paper were "against democracy".

A spokesman for Greenwich Council said: "The cost of the legal action is a great deal less than what it would cost the taxpayer if we stopped producing Greenwich Time and starting placing our advertising in another local paper.
 
"We save nearly a quarter of a million pounds each year – or nearly £21,000 a month - in extra costs that would be incurred if we stopped producing Greenwich Time.
 
"We either take the case to the government or we start spending an extra £21,000 a month of taxpayer’s money. We are advised we have a strong case and would recoup all legal costs if successful."