A PHOTOGRAPHER who took erotic pictures in a Roseland church has received threats that he will be hounded out of Cornwall.

Self-styled fetish photographer Andy Craddock took the images, which depict semi-nude, female models in various erotic poses, including on the altar, at the 13th century church of St Michael Penkivel near Tresillian.

Most are too graphic to print in a family newspaper, but they are displayed on the photographer's website, despite demands from church lawyers that they are removed because they are sacrilegious and were taken without permission.

Jeremy Dowling, spokesman for the Truro Diocese, said:

"What is most distressing is the use in the photographs of items of great spiritual significance, notably the altar, font and graves.

"This sacrilege has caused huge offence to a lot of people – we have even been contacted by people in Australia worried that relatives' graves have been desecrated.

"Twenty years ago we were worried about people stealing from our churches. We believe in keeping churches open, but this is in a different league of debasement and we must do what we can to stop it."

Solicitors for the church, which is on the edge of Lord Falmouth's Tregothnan estate, wrote to Mr Craddock on Friday, asking him to remove the images from his website, but Mr Craddock denied receiving the letter and has refused to do so.

Boundaries

He said: "If they had asked me for an apology face to face, I would have given it, but they straightaway resorted to legal action – what about the doctrine of turning the other cheek? I didn't ask for permission because I knew they'd say no. I am an artist who pushes the boundaries. I wanted the images."

Mr Craddock moved to Cornwall from London last year and opened an adult photographic studio, model agency, and shop selling bondage equipment in St Austell on Saturday.

"I don't know why there's such a fuss," he said. "One person was really vociferous, telling me to get out of Cornwall and that I wasn't wanted here. But for every negative e-mail I've had four in support," he said.

"I have been photographing in churches for five years and am attracted to them because of the architecture and natural light against which to show the beauty of the female form."

Emily King, from Shortlanesend, whose grandfather is buried in the churchyard, said: "There are worse things out there. I can see why some people would object, though it doesn't bother me. It would be better to ignore it."

But the majority of parishioners and people who have contacted priest in charge Andrew Yates have been outraged.

Mr Yates said: "I am deeply shocked that Mr Craddock could consider taking action that would inevitably cause great offence."

Prayers have since been said to re-hallow the altar and font and restore the church as a place of worship. The Truro Diocese is also considering taking legal action against Mr Craddock for sacrilege and damage to its reputation.

Meanwhile, diocesan solicitor Martin Follett said: "I think it is sensible to regard all of this as a silly adolescent stunt by someone wanting to open a sex shop this week."