A VINTAGE phone box installed in the garden of an Evesham resident's home has divided opinions amongst neighbours.

Anthony Green, of Larkspur Drive, Evesham, has erected the 1974 phone box in his front garden.

But while he has been hailed by many as a keeper of British heritage he has also sparked anger in one neighbour who says he is not in favour of the red box.

Roy Gibbons, who lives next door to Mr Green, said: "When I look out of my kitchen the phone box is blocking the view from the window. It's about ten foot away.

"Neighbours have raised it with me as well. But he has never approached me about it. I haven't asked him to remove it. I am a great believer in maintaining heritage. He can have it in the back garden.

"I don't know where he is coming from with it. It's nice to talk he says and that the neighbours love it, he's got to be joking."

Mr Gibbons also raised concerns about the planning laws surrounding the phone box and Wychavon District Council confirmed Mr Green would indeed require permission.

Graeme Duerden, development control manager, said: “We have received complaints about this telephone box so we have looked into it. We do this with all complaints and have chatted to the owner about it.

"As this is considered a permanent structure it does need planning permission, so we have asked the owner to submit a retrospective planning application. This will give people the chance to comment on the phone box and is the fairest approach to all concerned.”

Despite this other neighbours showed their support commenting on the Journal website.

Hazel Patching said: "I live next door to the phone box and I think it's fab. It reminds me of my childhood, when there was a red phone box on every corner.

"It's a great talking point, I had some people round on Saturday and everyone commented on it, they loved it.

"What's not to love about some English history on the doorstep?"

Mr Green said he is still planning to connect the phone box after securing planning permission.

"I am still hoping to get it connected," he said. "I may be able to ring it from my mobile and hear it ringing.

"I think there are one or two people a bit unhappy but when I am outside everyone that walks or drives past stops and talks to me about it. It's very much part a bit of British heritage."