After years, the Ashes have finally come home - to Tollesbury that is.
Barmy Army - Steve Lovell of Tollesbury, top, in the Ashes costume which hit the international media for six. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (45115-1)
While the England cricket team was busy last Monday making a name for itself on the field by winning a 16-year battle to regain the Ashes, Steve Lovell, 32, was busy making a name for himself off field by dressing as a replica of the 4.5in Ashes urn.
Mr Lovell, a cricketing fanatic, wore his Ashes costume to draw attention to himself while he was hunting for tickets to Monday's last game against the Australians at the Oval cricket ground.
But it was the national press rather than the ticket touts, who took an interest in his extraordinary outfit.
After numerous interviews and his face being beamed around the world to Australia, Mr Lovell and girlfriend Julia Harris, 22 are back home to Tollesbury. There he took part in a charity cricket match and told everyone of his new-found fame.
Standing just under 6ft tall and wearing the famous outfit at his parents' home in King's Walk, he said: "It has been a bolt out of the blue.
"I did think it was an extraordinary thing to wear, but I never thought it would get this much attention."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, September 19, 2005
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