Posters promoting a devil worshipping event - including a live rooster sacrifice and blood drinking - have been put up around a town.

The posters have been seen in woods at Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage.

They invite people to black mass services at St Nicholas Church cemetery on Rectory Lane in Stevenage at 11.30pm on the last Friday of every month.

The posters read: “It promises to be an exciting night of traditional English witchcraft and black magic.

“When the church tower strikes midnight there will be a live rooster sacrifice and blood drinking in accordance with the Satanic Rites of our Great Lord Lucifer.

“This will be followed by fornicating fun for all the family.”

They also offer “free inverted chocolate crucifixes for the kids”.

The posters name the master of ceremonies as Glen Larkins – practitioner of the dark arts – and give his full address.

But Mr Larkins says he is the victim of a malicious hoax and claims he has been harassed and stalked by the person responsible – a love rival – for 29 years.

“Before this I have received nasty letters, mail orders and unwanted books. I have always ignored it.”

He said the devil worshipping posters were also circulated around Stevenage last year.

“I brought the police into it because it’s malicious,” he said. “I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do.”

A spokesman for Herts police said: “Police are due to speak with a man who has reported a crime of malicious communications to us. Enquiries are ongoing.”