A small angel and some wilting flowers are all that mark the grave of comic genius Spike Milligan more than two years after his death.

The spot where he lies is one of only two graves without a permanent headstone at St Thomas's Church in Winchelsea, near Rye.

The only monument to the man who created the Goons is a small praying angel, decorated with a plastic flower, placed by his son James Milligan, 27, and James' mother Margaret Maughan, with whom the comic had an eight-year relationship.

Mr Milligan has reportedly tried to get a proper headstone but could not without permission from the immediate heirs of the comedian.

A family row is said to have prevented the formal gravestone being erected.

Bill Horsman, chairman of the Goon Show Preservation Society, told The Argus: "It's very sad. When I looked at the picture of Spike's grave without a headstone I felt absolutely shattered.

"We would love to do something but because it is a delicate family matter it is out of our hands.

"But words really fail me that no headstone is on his grave after such a long time. After all, the man was a genius and not just a comic genius. His headstone should in fact read 'Spike Milligan: Genius' because that was what he was, whether people liked him or not.

"I just hope something can be done to end this dispute and ensure Spike is remembered in the most fitting way possible."

The comic had said he wanted a headstone engraved with the words "I told you I was ill".

James Milligan had earlier placed the 18in angel on a plinth as a temporary headstone. It was later removed and a small wooden cross labelled Spike put in its place, only to be replaced with the angel once more.

It is thought his widow, Shelagh Milligan, has applied to Chichester Diocese for approval of the wording of the headstone, with the chosen epitaph written in Gaelic to overcome Church objections.

Nothing has happened, although there was talk of the headstone being in place this year.

The situation might well have amused the late comedian, who was famed for his zany humour and disregard for officialdom.

Spike, who was buried at St Thomas's in March 2002 after his death at 83, spent his later years living in Udimore, near Rye.

He had three children with his first wife, June Marlow, and one with his second wife, Patricia Ridgeway. He married Shelagh in 1983.