An estate agent in Somerset has been banned from putting saucy house adverts in his local newspaper.

Julian Bending, who works for the Ralph Bending Estate Agency in Glastonbury, prides himself on being honest and having a sense of humour.

But Mid Somerset Newspapers said two of his house adverts went too far and refused to print them unless they were toned down.

Mr Bending says he is not prepared to compromise to please the papers and has now taken his business elsewhere.

'Quirky approach'

In the past, Mr Bending has described houses as grubby, cramped, and dirty.

Other adverts included descriptions such as "original and grim late '70s conversion"; "the perfect country retreat for a tidy person who likes sheep;" and "would suit witch".

But newspaper managers deemed two adverts that made sexual references to be too much.

In one, they objected to Glastonbury Tor being described as an erection.

Philip Welch, editor of Mid Somerset Newspapers, said: "He does have his own quirky approach and we have no problem with that.

"We just felt there were certain references to things of a sexual matter that were not suitable for a family newspaper."