'Bureaucracy gone mad' is how a Sidmouth man has described the police's decision to turn back a delivery of compost he had ordered online.

Sidmouth's David Strange, chairman of the Norman Lockyer Observatory's board of directors, ordered the compost online to help him grow his own vegetables, in an effort to become more self-sufficient.

The delivery was due to arrive yesterday but the driver was turned back by police after being told compost was not an 'essential item' and that the driver would need a council license to make such deliveries.

Nub News spoke to David today to find out more, he said: "As everyone knows all the garden centres were closed when I was looking for compost. We've been trying to grow our own produce to help feed ourselves and my mother.

"We organised a delivery of compost online to be delivered yesterday (Sunday, April 26) but the lorry driver was stopped by police and the driver was told to go home as compost was not considered an essential item.

"The driver was told he needed a council license to deliver and to my mind that's bureaucracy gone mad!

"The police reaction was completely over the top. I ordered a camera lens cleaning kit last week and it came the next day and that's definitely non-essential.

"It seems mad to me, there's enough hassle in this world without delivery drivers being prevented from making a living.

"The compost is 'essential' to me, we're trying to start growing our own produce to be a little more self sufficient."

David took his concerns to Devon and Cornwall Police via Twitter, he said: "More heavy handedness by DC Police.

"Just been notified by delivery driver who was trying to deliver a load of compost to me, that he was stopped and told to go home since compost is a non-essential item! Where has that dig for victory spirit gone? So sad."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson replied: "Hi David, I'm sorry to hear this. The COVID-19 regulations allow for deliveries of orders placed during the lock down period, where those orders have been made online, by telephone or by text, so the driver should have been able to make the delivery. Was this Sidmouth?"

Nub News has contacted Devon and Cornwall Police for more information.