St Mark's Church, in Utley, has turned up the heat in the row surrounding the sign outside a pub in the village.

Following the installation of a new illuminated sign at the Roebuck pub, St Mark's Vicar the Rev Derek Walmsley has put up his own on the other side of the road.

Since its appearance at the pub, the bright orange sign, emblazoned with the name of its owners, 'Sizzling Pub Co", has attracted a string of complaints from residents who have branded it "tacky" and "gaudy" and said that it was out of keeping with the character of the village.

Mr Walmsley's sign, however, has more emphasis on parody than parity and deciding that getting even was more fun than getting angry he wrote on his sign "Sizzling Services on Sundays". He said: "We had people from the church commenting on how over-the-top the pub sign was.

"Then we saw the story in the paper so we had the idea to put one up here.

"A lot of people drive past here and we have had several people join the church because they can see the signs we put up."

The sign, which was made by art teacher and member of the congregation Kath Pullen, has already had an effect on passers-by.

Brian Allen, of Sutton, who passes the spot regularly, said: "I think it's fantastic.

"It's a hell of a sense of humour. It certainly put a smile on my face, I think it's really funny.

"The other one does cause a distraction and it shouldn't because it's a busy road."