A DEVOUT Christian has launched a legal battle to stop Jerry Springer the Opera coming to a south Essex theatre.

Paul Slennett, who runs Southend Christian Bookshop, believes the controversial show is blasphemous.

He has joined forces with Stephen Green, of national group Christian Voice, to launch a private prosecution, likely to cost around £60,000, against the show's production company, the Cliffs Pavilion and Southend Council.

Published Friday, December 2, 2005