MOTORBIKE ace Carl Fogarty has been told to restore an ancient hedge at his Mellor home within weeks, or risk prosecution.

The four-times World Superbike champion removed a four-metre section of hedge at his property in Saccary Lane last year so a local farmer could get in to cut the grass.

He only applied for planning permission after doing the work, but was rapped by planners and told to restore the site.

Government inspectors dismissed his appeal against the decision by the Ribble Valley Council after nearby residents complained the access was unnecessary and had disturbed an established hedge containing wildlife.

County surveyors also said poor visibility at the picturesque spot and the position of the new access might cause accidents.

Now, Ribble Valley Council has served an enforcement notice on the motorcycling champion, giving him just weeks to undertake the work.

Ribble Valley Council development control manager John Macholc, said: "An enforcement notice was served on Carl Fogarty, as a result of which he supplied us with details of the fence and hedge he intended to reinstate.

"He has not appealed against the enforcement notice, but we are waiting to hear when he intends completing the work.

"We expect him to carry out the work within weeks and, if he doesn't, we will take him to court. I don't think it will come to that, but we won this case on appeal and are obliged to pursue it."

Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom, added: "I understand an enforcement notice has been served on Carl Fogarty.

"I have followed this case from the start and have previously said I didn't think he acted in bad faith in removing the hedge and creating the second access.

"But he was refused permission by the authority, which was upheld on appeal and I suggest he reflects on that and reinstates the hedge without delay."

Carl Fogarty was today unavailable for comment.