Lord of the Rings producer orders Fife firm to get out of the habit of referring to hobbits

A Fife company has found itself on the wrong side of Hollywood over the manufacture of its so-called hobbit houses.

Methil firm Microlodge, which has made and sold the holiday homes for three years, has been ordered to remove the word ‘hobbit’ from its website or face legal action.

The threat came from London lawyers on behalf of American film producer Saul Zaentz, who produced the Lord Of The Rings trilogy and whose latest project The Hobbit is in the pipeline.

Microlodge boss Steve Millar branded it an overreaction, but complied rather than face the wrath of the movie mogul.

However, he has renamed his cat Gandalf just to spite him.

Microlodge’s ‘glamping’ homes were nicknamed hobbit houses by customers.

More glamorous than tents, the timber pods, complete with electricity, have been a hit for those who want to camp in comfort.

Steve said: ”I’ll sign their letter and I’ll say sorry but people will still call them hobbit houses.”