A man trying to recover a Bitcoin hard drive in a landfill site which he says is now worth about £600m is "seeking to bribe the council", it has been claimed in court.

Newport council has asked a High Court judge to strike out a claim by James Howells, who is attempting to sue the local authority to gain access to the site or get £495m in compensation.

Council barrister James Goudie KC said Mr Howells' offer to donate 10% of the Bitcoin to the local community was encouraging the council to "play fast and loose" by "signing up for a share of the action".