The Sunday Times alleges John Barry composed Bond tune

Times Newspapers denies libel and is arguing Mr Barry - who was present at the proceedings - is the true author of the work.

Mr Norman's counsel, James Price QC, told the jury the newspaper claimed the famous tune owed nothing to Mr Barry except a short piece of a much-altered melody line.

He also said The Sunday Times did not back up its claim that Mr Norman was a "little known and unsuccessful musician.

Award winning

The court heard that apart from Dr No, Mr Norman was credited with stage and film songs such as Expresso Bongo, Songbook and Poppy.

He has won Ivor Novello, Evening Standard and Laurence Olivier awards.

Mr Price said the article damaged his clients reputation by suggesting he had dishonestly passed himself off as the creator of the Bond theme for 35 years.

'Fair discussion'

Mark Warby, for Times Newspapers, said the jury might think that Mr Norman, was being "unduly sensitive" about the comparison with Mr Barry and his success.

Sean Connery starred as James Bond in Dr No

He said the article was a fair discussion of a topical subject and was written in a balanced and sensible way.

Mr Warby suggested to the court that the reason for the writ was because of Mr Norman's over-sensitivity because his career had peaked in the 1960s.

He said: "Mr Norman knows that credit for the composition is due to Mr Barry but he denies it and has given a false account of things.

'Spinning the truth'

"Everyone agreed that Mr Barry had a role in creating the theme but Mr Norman says that he was nothing but the orchestrator or the arranger.

He said Mr Barry had been brought in six months into the project to create a hard-hitting memorable tune, because Mr Norman had run out of inspiration.

A deal was struck whereby Mr Barry, then an unknown, would write the theme for a flat fee and Mr Norman would get the credit and the royalties.

Mr Warby added: "In short, it was composed by John Barry with some input from an idea by Monty Norman.

"The fact is Mr Norman is twisting and spinning with the truth and worse."

The trial continues.