DON KNOTTS - KNOTTS FAMILY NIXES FANS' MEMORIAL PLANS

Fans of beloved US TV star DON KNOTTS who wanted to erect a statue to honour the actor have been told they can't go ahead with their plans - by the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW star's estate. Knotts' family and TV bosses at CBS, where The Andy Griffith Show aired, have sent devotees TOM HELLEBRAND and NEAL SKELTON a cease and desist notice as they fight to erect a memorial to the actor in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The officials claim the two fans didn't seek out the correct permission before filing their request to erect a statue. The town acted as a model for Mayberry, the fictional home of Knotts' Andy Griffiths Show regular BARNEY FIFE. Knotts died in February (06).