A Stourbridge family have been left shocked and angry after the council demanded they remove artwork on their garage door commissioned for a cancer survivor’s 70th birthday.

Dudley Council say the Solly family must get rid of a spray painted picture of Wolverhampton Wanderers legend Steve Bull from the door of their garage at Sheraton Grange in Norton.

The council have described it as ‘an advertisement sign’ and say it breaks a rule that they should not be bigger than 0.3 metres.

Read more: Council admit own goal over Bully artwork

But the family have pledged to fight it, and since their story went viral on social media a solicitor who is a Wolves fan has offered to provide legal advice.

They say they don’t know who, if anyone, has complained, and have only received positive feedback from neighbours in the street – including big West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool fans.

In fact one house opposite sports a large Liverpool flag.

The artwork was commissioned by Grace Stockton to mark her father Eddie Solly’s 70th birthday on November 6.

Because the artist, who runs Artwork by Joe in Wolverhampton, needed good weather, the spray painting was done in September ahead of his birthday.

Wife Helen arranged for a trip out with Eddie and their grandson Gunner to clear the way for the artist to do his work, and it was an ‘emotional’ surprise for Eddie to pull into the driveway and see Steve Bull staring back at him.

“It’s a fantastic piece of work,” said Grace. “Dad loves it. He thinks it’s unbelievable.”

The painting is special because it also marks Eddie’s recovery after two very rough years.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of a lung removed before undergoing a programme of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

And to top it all he had only just recovered from having Covid as well.

So having received the all clear Grace wanted to make this birthday special and spent £500 on commissioning the work.

She’s bought a lot of memorabilia for her dad over the year. Although from Kent originally, he’s a lifelong Wolves fan, and Steve Bull is not just his favourite all-time plater, he’s ‘a God.”

“Mum says there are three people in their marriage, her, dad and Steve Bull. She loves the painting too”

She had hoped to book him to come to her father’s birthday, but when Covid put paid to a big celebration she instead organised a 40-minute Facetime call.

“Steve was really touched by the painting. He thought it was brilliant.”

Grace has vowed that the family will fight the council over their special piece of artwork.

Apart from not accepting there is anything wrong with it, the family were angry that the council did not even try to find out anything about it or who they were.

The planning enforcement letter was addressed: ‘To Whom it May Concern.’

It gives the family until January 4 to remove it.

But a defiant Grace said: “Bully won’t be going anywhere without a fight.”

The council have been approached for a comment.