A Facebook appreciation group dedicated to a popular lecturer has been shut down by the University of Bristol. 

The school of Policy Studies at the university sent warning letters to the group members, as reported in Bristol University student newspaper Epigram.

Alex Marsh, the head of Policy Studies was alarmed by the Simon Pemberton Appreciation Group and sent letters to its members requesting that they cease their involvement with the site immediately. It can no longer be found on Facebook.

The group was created to celebrate the "legendary" lecturer. Its members would discuss topics such as "what colour t-shirt will Simon wear today?" as well as upload photos of the professor taken during the lectures without his knowledge.

Alex Marsh considered this "wholly unacceptable". He was concerned that the activity of the group "may undermine the positive and professional relationships that exist within the school between staff and students."

A second year member of the group told Epigram: "It's an infringement on my right to have a free opinion.” The student was purportedly furious at being "spied on" by his department through Facebook.