Protesters invade Jane Seymour's £5m country estate

The former Bond girl, 56, upset residents after she successfully applied for a 24-hour alcohol and entertainment licence at her St Catherine's Court home, near Bath.

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The protesters marched on Jane Seymour's £5m estate, determined to stay put (below) until their views were heard

But Live And Let Die star Seymour was nowhere to be seen as neighbours marched through the £5million estate to hand over a petition.

Instead they were greeted by the estate's manager - Hein van Vorstenbosch - who offered them tea and coffee, served by Seymour's butler.

In a heated exchange on the manor steps, local Alan Randall told Mr Vorstenbosch that Seymour had ignored the wishes of all her neighbours.

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Protesters say delivery vans and lorries have begun clogging up the single-track lane near the mansion since the licence was agreed in June and concerns have been voiced over the safety and legality of Seymour's business venture.

Mr Randall said: "The disruption in the valley has been ridiculous - the excess traffic, the noise, it is all unbearable.

"We are pleased she has spent £3 million refurbishing the estate but we do not think the area should be exploited as a party venue.

"It is not a personal vendetta - but we are very annoyed."

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The actress's butler served tea to the members of the protest group

As Mr Vorstenbosch claimed only two parties had been held at the estate over the past year, another neighbour yelled: "We've heard it all before."

In a statement, Mr Vorstenbosch said: "We do have a 24-hour licence but this simply allows us to serve drinks at breakfast, wine with meals, a beer at 3am when an American game is on satellite, or musical entertainment whenever our guests require it.

"The last large event held at the court was to celebrate Jane's mother's birthday, three years ago."

He added: "We have offered the neighbour hot drinks because this is a storm in a tea cup."

Before handing over the petition of 200 signatures, a Land Rover playing brass music through a loudspeaker led a slow precession through the rural St Catherine valley.

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Alan Randall (left) delivers the petition to estate manager Hein van Vorstenbosch

Schoolchildren, business workers and elderly pensioners from neighbouring homes joined the march, which was policed by two officers.

Claudia Legge, 18, who grew up in the hamlet, said: "I think Jane Seymour and her family have been very arrogant.

"We all spend a lot more time around here and many of us have lived here since birth. What right have they got to ruin it all for us?"

An appeal against the licence is currently being processed by Bath magistrates.

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The celebrity couple live in the country house in the Cotswolds for three months of the year

Villagers say Bath and North East Somerset Council failed to listen to concerns about public nuisance and public safety when granting the licence earlier this year.

As part of the legal action, council officers are investigating if the property needs planning permission for change of use to operate commercially as a venue.

The actress and her director husband James Keach, 59, bought St Catherine's Court for £350,000 in 1984 after shooting the television film Jamaica Inn.

The couple live there for three months of the year and rent out the property for private functions.