Mobile advertising vehicles in Horsforth are causing an eyesore and should be forced to be taken away, according to the town council.

A number of the signs have cropped up around the township and town council Chairman John Brodwell has condemned the advertisers.

He said: "In each case the land is owned by the highways department of Leeds City Council.

"If they are parked illegally they can be dealt with by the police, but these are set back on verges.

"If they are on verges the real problem is for the Highways Department.

"As more appear they become more unsightly and they become unpleasant and unfair on other people who have to pay for advertising.

"We are contacting the highways department to raise our concerns.

"This has been going on for some time but it is exactly the fact that if one or two are left as they are, more people will follow suit and we will be inundated."

There are at least four of the mobile type signs in Horsforth and advertisers include North Cons-truction, The Factory Shop, Merc Care and BMW Care.

Mr Brodwell added: "I do not want to put off our businesses but the signs can become a real eyesore and something that we do not want to encourage.

"If we do not tackle the problem now, it could escalate and people could be encouraged to place more signs."

A staff member at BMW Care said that their company and its sister company Merc Care would be happy to discuss the issues with Horsforth Town Council if they were approached.

Mr Brodwell said: "We shall be writing to the Highways Department to voice our concerns and ask them to remove the signs because these are on the highways land, so they surely have jurisdiction."

A Leeds City Council spoke-sman said: "If these advertising boards are on a public highway or grass verge then highways can tow it away if complaints are made or they are in the way.

"If it is not Leeds City Council land it can become a planning issue.

"If the boards are parked for just a few days then the problem is not so bad, but when complaints are made and the boards have been there for a long time, then they become like permanent fixtures and would need permission.

"Anybody with highways queries about the boards can call our hotline on (0113) 247 7500 to report the advertising vehicles."

l What do you think about mobile advertising vehicles in Horsforth? Do you think that they an eyesore in the town? Write to us with your views at Letters Page, Editor Mel Vasey, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley LS21 3NX