IN MAY, 1987, well-known film producer David Puttnam (Chariots of Fire, Local Hero) encountered the ire of residents in Little Somerford, where he had a home, when he proposed a diversion of two popular footpaths and a bridleway.

Mr Puttnam, who had owned the home for four years, applied to divert and extinguish footpaths 11 and 75 and bridleway 12 away from his Kingsmead Mill home in the village.

The Standard reported that in March, North Wiltshire planners delegated a decision on the matter to the district secretary following objections.

The paper interviewed one objector, postman Bob Browning from Malmesbury, who had walked the path for nearly 20 years.

He said that the existing path went straight up to Mr Puttnam’s house and on toward Malmesbury, but the film producer had put up signs and built a wall to keep walkers away.

Mr Browning said: “He has put up signs and another bridge because he wants people away from his property.

He wants his privacy but it is an abuse of his position.”

He added: “I am against the diversion because I just want to walk where I have always walked.”

He concluded: “If Mr Puttnam didn’t like a path so near his house, he shouldn’t have bought the mill in the first place.”

Mr Puttnam’s agents said that in an attempt to compromise their client may have been willing to upgrade the proposed footpath to bridleway status.

Whatever, the final outcome, this film producer was definitely not a local hero in Mr Browning’s eyes.