Pensioner chains himself to lamppost to save it

A council has suspended a streetlight replacement programme after a man went on hunger strike, chained to a lamppost, in protest at the work.

David Cemlyn, 66, was outraged that the Victorian-style cast-iron columns in St Andrew's, Bristol, were being replaced with more efficient, modern ones.

The old ones are being refurbished to "enhance the heritage" of conservation areas in the city such as Clifton.



The council said it had suspended work pending further talks with residents.

Mr Cemlyn said his protest aimed to show the council the strength of local feeling against the new "eyesores".

"Isn't it strange you have to chain yourself to a lamppost at seven in the morning to get the council to talk to you," he said.

There's a video interview with Mr Cemlyn on this page.