A SIGN originally poo-pooed by the council could soon be put back up in Cheddar.

A SIGN originally poo-pooed by the council could soon be put back up in Cheddar.

When eager entrepreneur Steve Sayer, aged 14, put up the sign to advertise his manure business, he was ordered to take it down.

But now the youngster has come back fighting with a 1,200-name petition supporting the colourful creation and Steve's dad Julian has submitted a planning application to Sedgemoor District Council so the sign can be legally put up.

The Sidcot School pupil said: "Businesses in Cheddar sponsored me to pay for the plans to be submitted so I have not had to pay any of it.

A lot of people have supported my business and orders have tripled since my story was in the newspapers when I was told to take down the sign.

I have been running the business for about three-and-a-half years. In the first year I made £500 but in the last 12 months I have made about £1,200 in profit."

Steve came up with the idea of selling left-over horse manure from his father's horse livery, Petruth Paddocks. But in August 2007 he was ordered to take the sign down as it did not have planning permission.

Steve has used his profits to buy himself two cars, which he takes banger racing at the Mendip Raceway in Shipham.

The sign, which is near Steve's home in Labourham Drove, advertises 'Steve's Horse Manure with wiggly worms' and includes a colourful caricature of the youngster dressed in dungarees holding a pitch fork.

The young businessman added: "All my friends have been really supportive, especially when they saw my picture in the newspapers.