A CHEEKY gardener has told how cops were called to his home after a neighbour complained about his “obscene” bush.
Richard Jackson's x-rated topiary has entertained passers-by for two decades, with Instagram and Tik-Tok fans desperate to feature it on their online profiles.
He crafted the cheeky gesture after drinkers in the village pub opposite his home in Warton, Warks, teased his green-fingered skills.
The huge bush went viral and attracted hordes of visitors keen to grab a selfie – but also led to complaints that it was offensive.
He told Sun Online: "It all just started as a bit of a laugh with my mates in the pub across the road.
“They teased me when I cut the hedges and I thought I’d get my own back.
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“I never thought it’d be there for this long – but it became something of a tourist attraction.
“Even now we still spot the odd person outside taking photos, even though it’s not in the best of condition.
“We’ve had a laugh for 20 years but now’s the time to move on.
“We’ve had drunks jump into it, so it’s been battered and had big holes in it for a while."
Richard, who lives with wife Linda, 70, was threatened with a fine in 2012 over complaints the bush was “obscene”.
A resident living nearby moaned about the hedge and Warwickshire County Council wrote to him threatening him with legal action.
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Council chiefs ordered him to cut it down – with a copper knocking on his door suggesting he cut it into a fist to avoid a public order fine.
But Richard, a caretaker, remained defiant with locals leading a ‘Save the Warton Bush’ campaign.
Warwickshire County Council sent a letter threatening legal action and a police officer was despatched to investigate.
Richard said: “The copper knocked on the door and said basically that if there were any more complaints I’d get a fine on the spot.
“He told me I should turn it into a fist instead, because that would be less offensive.
“But I didn’t listen and the fine never came.
“It was all a load of hoo-ha. I haven’t heard a word from them since.
“I think the council are probably as fed up of it as I am.”
But now Richard, a grandad of four, has revealed he has now had enough of pruning the giant middle finger with his hand shears.
He said: “I’m fed up with it, to be honest with you.
“I’m going to dig it up or burn it. People love it but I’ve had enough of it.
“It’s just a pain in the backside to keep it in shape.
“It’s not a statue – it grows and it’s harder and harder to keep it in shape. It’s too much trouble now.
“We still have folks come up to take photos but it’s past its prime.
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“It’s like me – old and in bad shape.”
The bush, which needs trimming up to four times a year, starred on Have I Got News For You and hit headlines on ITV News – with producers opting to blur out the offensive digit.
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