In nearby Dye Houses there is another Methodist chapel (Primitive) originally built 1830 and rebuilt in 1865.

The denim-decked singer made a fortune in the 1960s from songs like Catch the wind, Universal Soldier, Mellow Yellow and Sunshine Superman, but his personal favourite was always Jennifer Juniper.

He took a tour of Tynedale whilst staying at Slaley Hall and fell in love with the quaint hamlet of Juniper.

Villagers have reported being offered large wads of cash for their properties but no-one was prepared to move out of the close-knit community.

A consultation exercise on the name change is being carried out by the county council, but comments had to be in by noon yesterday.