A Rolling Stones fan who owns a burial plot next to that of band member Brian Jones turned down a £6,000 offer to sell it.

While most music fans would be happy to settle for an autograph, poster or T-shirt of their idol, Richard Lovett is taking his passion beyond the grave.

Mr Lovett, a bachelor who lives off Elm Grove, Brighton, bought the piece of land next to the rock star's grave in Cheltenham's cemetery for £450.

He had discovered the space on his first visit to the town.

After fans unveiled a plaque on Jones's childhood home in Cheltenham's Eldorado Road on Thursday, Mr Lovett told how he turned down the offer to sell the plot to a Californian woman.

Mr Lovett, 48, who works part-time for South Downs Health NHS Trust, was told the space he noticed was not big enough for a burial but he did not give up and the graveyard keeper agreed to measure it before writing to Mr Lovett to offer him the plot.

The woman offered to buy it after hearing of Mr Lovett through his involvement with the launch of a Brian Jones fan club.

He said: "She said she had tried to buy it herself but was told it was not big enough. I did feel sorry for her because she had asked for it before I did."

Mr Lovett was more a fan of guitarist Jones than he was of the band.

He said: "I was really a Stones fan in the Sixties when Brian was with them. After Brian died I only bought one album.

"He was the most charismatic of the band. He was such a diverse musician. No one else over here played slide guitar."

Mr Lovett estimated he has about 100 pieces of memorabilia, including fan letters, a silk scarf and photos, and although some are framed around his home, much is packed away.

So would Mr Lovett part with his final resting place?

"Everything has got a price but I am sure that is not what the fans want to read," he said. "I do not think I would."

Jones was found drowned in the swimming pool of his home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, near East Grinstead, in July 1969.