Robert Fiddler, 60, has been ordered to demolish the castle he secretly constructed in 2002 in order to sidestep the strict planning regulations of his local council.

The mock-Tudor mansion, complete with turrets and cannons, was concealed with a giant, blue tarpaulin and hundreds of bails of hay for four years; although Fiddler and his family lived in the castle for this period. The disguise was removed in 2006, much to the amazement and horror of neighbours and planning regulators. One neighbour said: “it was a complete shock when the hay came down and that castle was in its place. Everyone else has to abide by planning laws so why shouldn’t they?”

Fiddler had been attempting to bypass the law stating that if nobody complains about a building in the four years after its construction then a certificate of lawfulness can be granted to the building in question. However, a local judge has ruled that this law is invalidated as no one was able the see the illegal construction and therefore object to it until the hay bales were removed.

The castle was found to fall foul of planning laws in the area and as a consequence Reigate and Banstead council have ruled that the property be demolished or Fiddler could face more legal action.

Fiddler has been trying since the 2006 unveiling, to no avail as yet, to get planning permission on his ‘dream home’ but may now have to resign himself to the fact that his worst nightmare has become a reality. He said: “"I can't believe they want to demolish this beautiful house. To me they are no different than vandals who just want to smash it down.”

By community correspondent Richard Clifton