The Cerne Abbas Giant Given Purple Penis

The giant 40ft penis of the world famous Cerne Giant, in the Dorset village of Cerne Abbas has been painted purple last night according to campaign group Fathers 4 Justice (F4J).

The group say they were contacted this morning by a father describing himself as the West Country's 'Purple Phantom'. Purple is the international colour for equality. Written beside the giant were a reference to a recently published book by Fathers 4 Justice.

The Phantom who styles himself and gets his inspiration from is favourite artist 'Banksy' wishes to remain anonymous but has commented

'The only people who might be a bit upset are the couples who apparently regularly copulate on the penis in the dead of night because it apparently has magical powers to boost fertility.It'll be interesting to see how many local men complain of purple hands and knees and women end up with purple bottoms and highlights! '

'The Giants penis definitely has a purple ting rather than a bright glow but rumour has it the local council have been 'rubbing it off' - Rather them than me you don't know what might happen !!'

When asked about any damage the Phantom said that 'The grass would grow quickly at this time of year and within the month you should be able to trim his bush.' If in a rush he suggested a quick Brazilian wax.

The 'Purple Phantom' also warned that he was going to close roads in Dorset and the West Country by spreading over two tonnes of purple jam onto major roads, dual carriageways and motorways. In the call he said, 'I've got my jam, and I'm going to use it.'

A picture of the Purple Phantoms bale banner on a very busy stretch of the M5 near Bristol Junction 20.

PROTESTING DADS TO TARGET JUDGES

Campaigning dads are preparing to step up their protests against the legal system by targeting Bristol judges.Fathers4Justice (F4J), which was relaunched in the city earlier this year, is going back to some of its original tactics in an attempt to change the law.

But the move has been branded "inappropriate and irresponsible" by the judicial office.

Nationally, the group has drawn up a list of judges who, it claims, have treated dads badly during family law cases.

Their names and addresses have been published on the F4J website, www.fathers-4-justice.org, in a list headed "Your Time Is Up: Britain's Worst Judicial Offenders".

Five judges from the Bristol circuit are named on the list: Andrew Rutherford, Paul Robert Barclay, Richard Bromilow, David Keith Ticehurst and Susan Darwall Smith.

The campaign group is planning to target them with direct action during the coming weeks.

F4J's Bristol co-ordinator, Nigel Ace, said: "We will be targeting judges nationwide and are going to be doing a lot more of these kind of stunts to put the wind up them. There are going to be more rooftop protests.

"There has been too much talking, what with everything that's happened since the original group disbanded. We're now going back to our older tactics."

Mr Ace said the judges being targeted were ones who are known to the campaign group through members who have tried to get access to their children in the city.

He said: "We're all for equality - but there's no equality in the family courts.

"You go in and feel like you're a child, but worse, because you're so powerless."

The announcement comes days after the campaign group launched itself in America.

Campaigners dressed as Captain America and Batman climbed on to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.

Mr Ace hinted that the group could carry out more direct action in Bristol soon.

A Judicial Communications Office spokesperson said: "There is no justification or public interest served in publishing the home addresses or other private details of judges.

"It can serve no purpose other than to intrude into the privacy of the judge and encourage harassment of the judge and his/her family in their home.

"In the case of their court work, family judges have to make difficult decisions based on the individual circumstances of a case.

"By their very nature, these cases are emotional and feelings often run high.

"However, all parties have the opportunity to express their opinion to the judge prior to a decision being made and the right to seek to appeal decisions that they regard as unfair."