Dawlish News

The Medieval Knights of Dawlish are to hang up their lances and ride into the sunset following a run-in with council officials.

The horsemen and their trusty steeds are off to pastures new and will not return to Dawlish Warren next summer because of a dispute over planning permission with Teignbridge District Council.

The touring troupe of knights have been doing battle, medieval-style, since 1966 and have set up a summer base on the Devon coast in recent years.

But founding member Geoffrey Winship explained that the knights have been defeated for the first time after attempting to extend their stay in Dawlish Warren.

He was told by the local authority that he would need planning permission for the attraction's arena and seating area if he planned to operate the site for more than 28 days, as he had proposed.