A vicar has been threatened with a "good kicking" over his decision to clean-up his cemetery.

After sending out letters asking for the removal wooden crosses, vases, large plants and pots of flowers, things turned nasty for the Rev Ian Fisher, of St Mary's Church in Shoebury.

"I had a threatening telephone call and a gentleman on my doorstep who looked like he was going to thump me," said the 45-year-old cleric, who decided to clean the graveyard in accordance with church regulations.

He sent 120 letters to the families of those buried there and told them personal items had to be removed by September 5.

Dr Fisher received letters of complaint and then a threatening phone call from a bereaved husband, who was later spoken to by police.