VERDERER Ray Wright is preparing to take on church leaders who want to get their hands on his gold.

The owner of Lea Bailey gold mine is objecting to the church's bid to register the rights to mine coal, iron, and gold under the ground.

Lawyers are trying to register mineral rights on about 500 acres of former church land in the old manor of Hope Mansell.

The land covers part of Drybrook, Mitcheldean and Wigpool.

Ray is objecting to the church applying for the mineral rights on land around Euroclydon tunnel near Drybrook and the Lea Bailey mine which sparked a gold rush at the turn of the 20th Century.