Smoking posters leave vicar fuming

Rev Wilcox said: 'I don't think there's a need for these signs in a church but we must comply with the law.'

Now someone has quietly removed the sign from outside Holy Cross Church so Rev Wilcox plans to place a new one inside.

He confirmed he is now legally required to put a sign up - new anti-smoking laws put religious buildings at risk of on-the-spot fines of a magistrates' court appearance with a maximum fine of 1,000 if they fail to show them publicly.

Rev Wilcox believes this has been taken to heart too literally although he intends to comply with the law.

He said: 'I do believe it is over-emphasising the issue.'

He's pictured here with the sign - plus a packet of cigarettes - but assures us these belong to the photographer and he is definitely a non-smoker.