COUNCILLORS will decide tonight whether or not a Ribble Valley rector can tend his flock - of sheep - in his back garden.

The Reverend David Mewis has lived at Grindleton Rectory for four years, during which time he has become quite a shepherd.

The Ribble Valley Council's planning committee will hear that Mr Mewis wants to erect a sheep pen in his back garden.

Officers have given the plan the thumbs-up, provided it is used by Mr Mewis only.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.