THE most evil man in Ambridge is back in The Archers and already wreaking havoc.

But Malvern man Alex Jones, who plays Clive Horrobin in the Radio 4 series, is worried the criminal's antics might land him in trouble with horse lovers.

Clive was sent to prison for GBH six years ago, but was back on the airwaves on Friday night after being caught slashing horses in the fictional town of Ambridge, which is loosely based on Inkberrow.

"It's great to be playing Clive again," said Mr Jones.

"He's such a nasty villain. He's The Archer's own Nick Cotton.

"I'm the first person in the Archers ever to say "piss off".

"He's come back even more psychotic after his experiences in prison."

Mr Jones was able to draw on his own experiences of prison for Clive's troubled mind.

Fortunately, Mr Jones' experience was on the right side of the law and he was researching a play called Respect at Brinsford Young Offender's Institute, in Wolverhampton, five years ago.

But Mr Jones says he has little in common with Clive and is keen to draw the line between him and his character.

"I just want to apologise to all the horse lovers out there," he said.

"I love horses, and my wife and daughter go horse riding."

Both an actor and playwright, Mr Jones recently starred in a production of Precious Bane at Witley Court, has written Worcester-based plays such as The Bridge and River's Up and has had great success with his films Rhubarb and Roses and Noise.

But Clive's return to The Archers may be short lived.

"Without giving too much away, I have a feeling Clive might be going down again," said Mr Jones.