Now officials at East Riding of Yorkshire Council are hoping to persuade Bridlington man Philip Pilling, 57, to agree to an "alternative" burial arrangement for dad Aubrey, who died just before Christmas aged in his 90s.

It is believed that Mr Pilling also dressed his father as a sheikh before burying him in an 8ft hole beneath the ramshackle St John's Avenue shed.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the unusual burial had been a "big talking point" in the neighbourhood.

She said: "It is totally crazy – obviously he's allowed to do it because it's been done but who would want their dad buried in the garden?"

She added: "It could only happen in Brid!"

The police are believed to have visited the property but a spokesman said the burial was of no concern to them because the Environment Agency were aware of it and Mr Pilling's body was nowhere near a water course.

No laws prevent people from being buried in their own garden but an authorisation form must be filled in, since decomposing corpses can pose a health risk to the living.

Legally, a garden grave must be situated more than 10 metres from standing water, at least 50 metres away from a drinking water source and deep enough to dissuade animals from digging up the remains.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesman said the council had been in touch to offer advice about possible burial arrangements and was aware of the family's wishes.

When the Scarborough Evening News visited the address, the man in residence declined to comment, stating only that what he had done "was not unique".