RAZOR wire and a strong metal security fence around a clifftop Teignmouth remembrance garden have been branded an 'eyesore in a beauty spot'.

But the family who created the garden alongside the popular cliff path at Eastcliff in memory of their kidnapped son maintain they had little choice but to step up security because of repeated vandalism and theft.

A resident contacted this newspaper to complain that the security measures protecting Jason's Garden resembled 'a prisoner of war camp'.

'I fully sympathise with the family and admire them for what they have done to find out the truth about their son, but an ugly fence topped with razor wire is over the top.

'This is supposed to be a beautiful coastal area, but the fence is totally out of keeping. I am surprised they were allowed to do it,' said the reader, who did not want to be named.

Nev Pope, mother of Jason Pope who has never been seen since he was kidnapped by rebels while working at a diamond mine in Angola 11 years ago, defended the fence.

'We were devastated when a sculpture of ceramic pots created for the memorial garden by Jason's sister, Vashti, were stolen. 'There has also been vandalism there, and the only way to make it secure was to construct a sturdy fence. It is a sad sign of the times we live in, I am afraid, when you are forced to take such drastic measures.

'I would be interested to hear what other readers think.

'In time, we hope the fence will be covered in climbing roses, which have already started growing, and will eventually hide it.

'We believe the sculpture may have been stolen to order, and could be in a garden somewhere. If anybody recognises it, we would be very grateful if they contact us or the police.

'It would mean such a lot to us to have the sculpture back,' added Nev, who, along with the rest of her family, has spent many hours and a great of money on laying out the garden.

She also revealed that the family were suing the mining company that employed Jason, Energem, for a lack of duty of care towards him and five other workers who were also abducted, and never found. The family now accept that Jason, who played rugby for Teignmouth, must be dead.

'We are embroiled in a lengthy and complex legal battle with the company because we believe they should have offered better protection for their workers in such a volatile area.

'It has been going on for several years before the High Court, and we are carrying out all our own legal work because of the high cost of employing lawyers.

'We are claiming damages on a matter of principle. The money is not that important to us, but we are also acting on behalf of three other bereaved families who are suffering badly.'

She also pointed out that the garden will be open to the public in the spring and summer – May 3 and 4, June 20 and 21 and August 22, 30 and 31.

A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said: 'We haven't received any official complaints about this fence, and we can confirm there is planning consent for fences up to two metres in height.

'It is unlikely the fence would cause any issue under health and safety law, unless the land is officially designated as a workplace.'