Moonhenge in Cambridgeshire dedicated and blessed

Moonhenge took seven days to complete, artist Derek Massey said

A wooden version of Stonehenge built by a Cambridgeshire farmer has been publicly opened and blessed, despite still having no planning permission.

Stephen Parsley and artist Derek Massey created the 65ft (20m) Moonhenge from 29 ancient bog oaks on Mr Parsley's land in Woodwalton.

About 150 people attended a spiritual dedication ceremony on Wednesday night.

In July Mr Parsley was told he needed retrospective permission, but the council said he had still not applied.

Moonhenge - originally called Woodhenge - was conceived as a tribute to Mr Parsley's wife, who died in August 2012.

'Sacred revelry'

Mr Massey said: "The 19 outer trees represent a moon henge - a lunar cycle.

"The inner circle of 10 trees will be a celebration or theatre area, which will have hanging curtains decorated in ancient Neolithic patterns.

"Our whole thinking is that this is a place where the community can come and contemplate, and remember people."

The dedication ceremony will include "an evening of ancient ritual, blessing, dancing, drumming and sacred revelry" beneath the full moon.

A spokesman for Huntingdonshire District Council - which informed Mr Parsley on 26 July that the structure required planning permission - said: "It is not unlawful to erect a structure without planning permission or have a party at such a structure.

"It only becomes unlawful if an enforcement notice is issued and it is not complied with. An enforcement notice has not been issued in this case."

Mr Parsley said he was still "considering" the council's letter, but did not wish to comment further.