THE pagan owner of a derelict and reputedly haunted Herefordshire church has been told to remove a sign asking people to keep the site litter-free.

Leszek Skuriat, who has owned Avenbury Church since the 1970s, responded to calls from the Bromyard community for the grounds to be cleared and made more accessible to visitors by erecting the sign on a tree.

It reads: "Ancient Pagan site & God's Garden of Love open to all living animal creatures! Please keep this paradise & Kingdom of Heaven on Earth tidy at all times."

But Herefordshire Council has written to Mr Skuriat telling him to remove the unauthorised notice as it does not have advertisement consent.

The letter also states that should Mr Skuriat apply for consent it would not be granted and gives him 28 days for its removal.

An upset Mr Skuriat said: "I had the sign made to encourage all visitors to keep the place tidy and to take their litter home with them."

The Hereford Times told the history of Avenbury Church and its ghostly reputation last year when calls came from leading members of the Bromyard community to clear up the litter-strewn site and make it more accessible.

Following the story, Mr Skuriat contacted the paper to say how thrilled he was at the interest shown in Avenbury and would do all he could to help.

The impromptu sign, however, must now be removed by the beginning of February or he faces enforcement action from the council.