Uri Geller's spoon statue for Sonning 'needs permission'

The red spoon is a leaving gift to Sonning from Uri Geller

A bent spoon sculpture erected by TV illusionist Uri Geller needs planning permission, a council has said.

The large red statue was unveiled on Tuesday as a parting gift to the Berkshire village of Sonning where he has lived for 35 years.

Wokingham Borough Council said the spoon did not have planning permission.

Geller, 68, who became famous for bending cutlery, said he thought he had proper permission and it would be a shame to lose it through "red tape".

He said he planned to leave the UK to return to his native Israel.

'Bend creative freedom'

Councillor John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways at the council, said: "The statue needs planning permission to be erected, and we haven't yet received a planning application for it.

"So we will be writing to him, inviting him to submit an application as soon as possible."

He said Mr Geller could apply for retrospective permission.

The red spoon sits on a tree stump, near the home of actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal

In a statement to the BBC, Mr Geller said: "My understanding is that all the proper permission was granted.

"This is a totally one-of-a-kind piece of art which has been created for the village of Sonning on Thames. It would seem to me to be a great shame if the red spoon should be removed due to red tape."

He said his message to the council was: "You can take my spoon, but you'll never be able to bend my creative freedom."

The statue, made by artist-blacksmith Paul Wells, is sited near the home of actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal, who recently moved to Sonning.