LOVERS of Herefordshire's natural beauty will often say the county's scenery is out of this world – and now it has a sign to prove it.

This photo, taken by an eagle-eyed reader, tells motorists driving towards Mordiford that they are in fact entering Mord Or - a black volcanic plain in Middle-earth according to the blockbusting film series and book, Lord of the Rings.

Grosmont's Richard Jordon captured the image while driving through Mordiford ahead of a talk he was set to deliver to the village's Women's Institute group.

The photographer and former film cameraman leads music lectures, as well as being involved in the arts and antiques sector.

He recently noticed another defaced sign near Ewyas Harold which should have read Dicks Pitch, but the 'P' had been removed.

Earlier this year, the Hereford Times reported that the county's roadsigns were in desperate need of repair.

At a meeting of Herefordshire Council's full council, former city mayor, Cllr Phil Edwards, said he was “ashamed” to see the state of the signs.

One of them, between Hereford and Bromyard, told motorists to “speed” as the word “reduce” before it had come away.

“That’s just one of many examples," said Cllr Edwards.

"We are supposed to be attracting tourists to the area and we won’t if this isn’t sorted.”

Cabinet member for Transport and Roads, Cllr Paul Rone, said he understood the concerns but said wear and tear wasn’t always to blame.

“I agree with you that in places we could do better,” he said.

“However, in some places it is down to mischief by members of the public. If those responsible knew the cost to rectify these problems, they wouldn’t do it.”

He then went on to joke about some of the embarrassing place names Herefordshire could be faced with should problems continue.