The plug has been pulled on fears that Kilgetty's 'Mr. and Mrs. Christmas' would have to remove one of the top attractions at their spectacular festive lights display. An enforcement officer from Pembrokeshire County Council visited Peter and Audrey Thomas, who have once again turned their home at St. Mary's Place into a sparkling winter wonderland, to inspect the gigantic figure of popular children's hero, Shrek, which has been positioned outside their house. This resulted in the couple becoming concerned that 19-foot high Shrek, which was created for the Llangwm Scarecrow Festival, but has now been purchased by them to keep guard over their display, would have to be taken down because he was not a Christmas figure. "We were told we would have to take Shrek down because he was not a Christmas decoration, but I spent £30 getting a Father Christmas hat made for him," Audrey told the Observer. "We were absolutely gobsmacked," she continued. "Shrek is one of the main attractions and people have been coming from all over to see him and the lights and we have already raised over £1,000 for charity since the switch-on at the weekend. "The children love him too and talk to him on their way to and from school each day," added Audrey. It was also mooted that a campaign to save Shrek would be started if he had to leave his new home. When the Observer contacted Pembrokeshire County Council, a spokesman said that the authority was content that Shrek, as a temporary seasonal feature, needed no planning permission, and they would be taking no further action. "At no time were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas asked to take Shrek down and as such, they have not been given a 'reprieve'," the spokesman said. "Neither were they told that they will need planning permission for a similar structure next year," the spokesman continued "However, the officer did advise Mr. and Mrs. Thomas that it would be a good idea to contact the authority next year for advice, if they are considering putting up another large structure. "The aim of the officer's visit was to check that Shrek did not breach any planning legislation - which it did not - and to help and advise Mr. and Mrs. Thomas on their responsibilities under planning legislation," the spokesman added. Peter and Audrey were contacted by the council yesterday (Thursday) and were informed of the situation. Delighted with the outcome, they asked the Observer to express their thanks to the authority for allowing Shrek to stay.

NEWSPAPER COVERAGE

While their Christmas illuminations have been stunning the hundreds of people who have been visiting the estate since Saturday's switch-on, Peter and Audrey were stunned to receive national newspaper coverage that their seasonal display was not met with goodwill. In Tuesday's Daily Express, allegations were made that not only were police stepping up patrols to keep the main road outside the house clear for emergency vehicles, but they had been barred by their electricity company from adding to their collection of illuminations. "It is absolute rubbish," Peter said. "We are extremely disappointed with the coverage. "We have had no such problems at all and in fact our electricity company have helped by installing a new supply to the estate earlier than they had planned so we could use it for our lights," he added.