The watchdog which oversees local government has declined to look into a charity's complaint against Watford Borough Council.

The Local Government Ombudsman said Age UK Hertfordshire’s case did not fall into its remit and told the charity to pursue its grievance through the courts.

The charity had complained to the organisation about its treatment by the council over a disputed £500,000 repairs bill to two borough-owned buildings.

Marion Birch, the charity’s chief executive, said Age UK was writing to the ombudsman to challenge its decision.

“We still feel the things said about us were unfair, untrue and unkind,” she said. “We don’t feel we have got closure. It is unfortunate that it has got to this stage. A sorry would be nice. That’s all we really want.”

The problems between the charity and the council started when Age UK Hertfordshire over buildings The Harebreaks and Exchange Road building and was handed the £500,000 bill in 2010. The charity refused to pay up and was threatened with legal action.

Since then the two parties have negotiated a compromise agreement and Age UK Hertfordshire is a tenant at another Watford Borough Council-owned building in Exchange Road.

Following the ombudsman’s decision, Watford’s elected mayor, Dorothy Thornhill, said she was pleased and wanted to move on from the saga.

"I'm pleased the Ombudsman has said there is no case to answer,” she said. “There's nothing to be gained from taking this matter any further. “What's important now is to focus on what matters and that is services for old people in Watford."