Hoarder ordered to clear up

Lenny Ford says he has been a collector all his life

A bizarre collection of goods hoarded over a lifetime may have to go.

The accumulation of pots, building materials, ovens and old bicycles line the alleyway leading to the Norfolk home of Lenny Ford.

But his eclectic collection has come to the attention of South Norfolk District Council.

On Monday night the planning committee decided to tell Mr Ford to clear up his outdoor collection.

"I've been a collector all my life," said Mr Ford, as he stood on the doorstep of his Hingham home and displayed his latest acquisition - a brass pig which cost him 50 pence.

"It isn't a load of old rubbish - not to me it isn't.

"You are always going to have some bits which are going to deteriorate because I haven't got anywhere to put everything until I have the chance to build a shed."

That move has been on hold for a while.

The council may make Mr Ford clear up

"Ill-health has prevented me from doing it.

"I hope I'll soon be back on my feet and I can do and I'll move some of it.

"Then I'll get rid of some of the trash, but it isn't all trash."

Mr Ford said his family was not keen on his hoarding habit but they knew he was happy and left him alone.

Councillors voted to serve an enforcement order on the village's biggest collector, giving him nine months to tidy up his garden.