THE trial of a pensioner who called a nearby village the "nastiest place in Worcestershire" has been delayed.

August 27 had been pencilled in as the start date for Carl Powell's trial.

The 75 year-old had been charged with a a public order offence over the sign at his farm which is visible to motorists driving past.

On the sign, it described Peopleton as "a murderous lawless godforsaken place probably, most definitely the nastiest village in Worcestershire."

His trial over alleged refusal to pay a fine had been due to get underway, but the court was informed the police officer dealing with the case, who is the only witness, was on annual leave.

Because of this, the trial was removed from the court list, with a new date to be set next week.

We previously reported how Mr Powell had been in trouble with the law over his sign, at Stone Arrow Farm.

He put the sign up initially because of a planning dispute with the parish council, describing the decision to prosecute him as "ridiculous".

At his previous court hearing, on July 2, Mr Powell had arrived carrying his sign, but had been stopped by a security guard who was concerned it could be an "offensive weapon."

"He said it was an offensive weapon. An offensive weapon - a sign? My defence is that the sign is true and factual - and I can prove that" said Powell.

Advised to see a solicitor, Powell declined and replied: "All I need to do is tell the truth. I don't need a solicitor to do that."

He was advised not to put the sign up again but Powell indicated he had yet to take it down, telling the court: "It's still up."

The farmer brought duplicates of the signs to court as 'evidence' in the hope the matter would be resolved, claiming he is exercising his right to 'freedom of speech'.

The case continues.