Two brothers who have restored many of the famous Dunkirk boats that saved the British army during the war, now find their business under threat after 20 years – because the Royal Borough has issued an enforcement notice against them.

Stephen Messer, 55 and his brother Colin, 56, run the Classic Restoration Services boat repair business in Mill Lane, Clewer where they have been since the 1990s.

They restored many of the famous Dunkirk ‘little boats’ that took part in the Queen’s Jubilee parade six years ago.

But their problems began when they moved their floating boat shed a short distance downstream recently to gain extra space.

A neighbour opposite complained and they received a visit from a council enforcement officer who told them the shed was an illegal building. An enforcement notice to demolish it followed.

Stephen Messer points out that the boatshed is a temporary floating structure moored to the bank by ropes.

He said it is vital to have a shelter where boats can be kept while they are being worked on.

He said: “We have spent a lot of time building up this business. I can’t see us surviving beyond next winter without the wet shed.

“This is a temporary floating structure that should not even come under the council’s jurisdiction – I feel victimised.”

The shed currently houses a boat being worked on that is regarded as the Commodore of the brave little boats that crossed the Channel to Dunkirk.

The brothers and their mother Evelyn, 81, live on the boats – Stephen is married and a father of two.

Decisions about the enforcement notice were made in secret ‘part two’ sessions of Royal Borough’s planning meetings.

It was up for discussion again at Wednesday’s meeting of the borough’s Urban Development Management Panel – in part two, which means the council will not comment on the issue.

But the panel’s vice-chairman Phill Bicknell - also the council’s deputy leader - said: “The planning authority does not go out hunting for people to issue enforcement notices to. But we have to respond when a resident complains.”

The Messer brothers have launched an appeal.