THE Highways Agency has been blasted after removing signs advertising Ilkley Carnival - leading organisers to believe they had been stolen.

Rumours of subterfuge were rife after 23 signs vanished without trace, placed between Addingham and Otley, days before Monday's event. Police were even called in to investigate what was thought to be sabotage.

But this week a spokeswoman for the Highways Agency confirmed it was her department which was responsible. She said: "Contractors working on behalf of the Highways Agency did remove the signs.

"There have been a number of complaints from members of the public about an increasing number of fly posting and posters on the A65. The first priority must be to driver safety and a large number of signs could be distracting to drivers."

She added that the removal had appeared to be a cloak and dagger operation as they had had difficulty in locating carnival organisers.

But Andrew Munro, chairman of the carnival committee, said he was appalled that signs had been taken without warning - leading to a distressing week for his team.

He said: "Its absolutely disgusting that they took them away and didn't speak to us first. It is very easy to get in touch with us. You could go to the town hall or my office.

"Anyone in town knows where to find us. It is just a weak excuse for being over officious. I expect to get them back intact as well! It just makes me sick."

The Highways Agency was within its rights to take the signs - as no permission had been granted to put them up.

But Mr Munro said he believed the measure was draconian - especially as it was a charity event. He said: "It is a nonsense. I can't imagine anybody complaining about the carnival signs.

"Everybody knows it's a charity event, a fun day for everybody to enjoy themselves. They are only up for a limited time. I just don't think there are any excuses for it at all. Clearly, they have the law on their side and we were probably wrong. But, I don't think, in this situation, there is right or wrong. They should have used their commonsense and they were not prepared to do that."

Mr Munro added that the lack of signs - worth £600 - could have deterred potential visitors from attending the fundraising event.

He said: "It probably had a slight effect. It would have faded from some people's memories who might have seen the signs."

The signs - three of which are 6ft square - were taken to a storage depot, in Yeadon. Mr Munro and his team intend to pay a visit to reclaim them.

A spokesman for Ilkley Police said: "The incident was reported to the police as a crime. It is rather unfortunate for all the parties concerned that there appears to have been a breakdown in communication."