CONCERNS have been raised about a mysterious man turning up uninvited in the garden of a historic Dorset house.

Warren Davis lives at Old Came Rectory at Winterborne Came, the former home of Dorset poet William Barnes.

He says the man in question has appeared in the garden on three occasions and claims to be writing a book about hidden houses of Dorset.

Mr Davis has reported the matter to the police, who are investigating, and says he would be keen to find out if anyone else has had a similar experience or if they know whether such a book is actually being written.

He said: "He's been to my place three times now, the most recent was last Wednesday (April 15).

"He came before Christmas and earlier in the year."

Mr Davis added: "He's taking pictures all the time and says he has been working on the book for two years.

"He just appears in our garden - it's a secure walled garden and he just gets in and is taking pictures of everything.

"He won't give you a straight answer to anything and never says where he lives or anything."

Old Came Rectory was the home of William Barnes when he became the vicar of St Peter's Church at Winterborne Came in 1862.

Mr Davis said the man appears in the garden uninvited.

He said he would be keen to hear from anyone who knows whether the reason he put forward for being there is genuine as he was so concerned about the man's constant appearances he was forced to contact the police.

Mr Davis said he was hoping Dorset Echo readers might be able to shed some light.

He said: "I'm interested whether readers might know about a book being published about hidden houses of Dorset and if there is such a thing."

Mr Davis said as a result of the man's unwelcome visits they have had to take special security measures and make sure somebody is at home all the time now.

He said: "My concern is whether anyone else has had the same problem or if anyone has information about a book being planned."

Mr Davis said the man has long hair and a moustache and carries a camera and has given a description to the police.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We had a call reporting a man acting suspiciously in the Winterborne Herringston area near Dorchester at around 2pm on Friday, April 17.

"Local officers have been made aware.

"Anyone with concerns about a person acting suspiciously should contact police on 101."

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