A WARNING has been issued by church officials following the placing of a memorial on a consecrated Dartmoor building without permission.

An unauthorised memorial plaque appeared at St Michael de Rupe Church on Brentor last week which had a simple inscription on it. The memorial has been fixed to the church wall.

Ven Nick Shutt, archdeacon of Plymouth, said: ‘No-one has given any permission for this to be done and there are strict rules that apply for the placing of any monuments or memorials on or around church buildings.

‘St Michael’s is a Grade I Listed building and this plaque will have to be removed within the next 28 days as we cannot have such items attached to the church building.

‘It may be that the person who has done this has done so without realising that permission would not have been given for this plaque to be affixed to the church.’

Mr Shutt appealed for the person who fixed the plaque to make contact so he could explain why the plaque has to be removed.

‘We simply wish to resolve this matter, realising that it is a very sensitive issue, but we cannot allow the plaque to remain as it may set a precedent or encourage others to think they can do the same.’

To contact Mr Shutt call 01752 858382.