Licensees victims of cruel practical joke

A couple in Bedfordshire were taunted with a "sickening" practical joke when a coffin was planted next to a sign for their pub.

Sarah and Darron Smith of the Horse and Jockey in Ravensden woke up last Sunday to find a sign for the Victoria Arms in Wilden had been placed directly in front of their own - and a full-size coffin was leaning against it.

Sarah said: "We heard banging at about 6am and then this sign appeared with a coffin propped against it.

"A doctor that lives opposite the sign had two of his patients die that week so it was in very poor taste. There was quite a backlash from the villagers - everyone was calling us up."

It is not clear who was responsible for the coffin but it is understood it may have stemmed from an argument at the pub.

Licensee of the Victoria Arms, Loraine Pitman, said she had ended up as "piggy in the middle" in a local quarrel.

She said: "I was basically caught in the middle of two people who were having a feud

"I've sort of seen the funny side of it now. A lot of people have come in and asked where I've put the coffin."