A Keighley computer firm has hit back at claims this week that its illegal street advertisements could cause accidents.

Town centre boss Barry Thorne branded bill-posters responsible for the ads as 'sign board terrorists'.

But Rainforest boss Peter Martins says his signs are the best way of attracting customers and have helped his firm employ nine workers.

He expects to take on another ten people over the next 12 months at his Keighley Business Centre base on South Street.

Rainforest staff refurbish and sell computers originally used by large firms such as banks and building societies.

Cllr Thorne this week blasted the firm's practice of promoting its weekend sales with small boards attached to lamp-posts around town. Cllr Thorne, chairman of Keighley Town Centre Manage-ment Group, has ordered council officers to take down the brightly-coloured signs.

He says they are not only illegal but fears they could cause accidents by distracting motorists.

He says: "It's getting crazy - they're just cocking a snoot. I spotted one of them on a pedestrian refuge with the car parked up next to it."

Mr Martins says several other firms advertise in a similar way around Keighley, but not all the signs are taken down. "There's discrimination," he claims.

"The signs are the most effective way of promoting our sales. We're trying to create a business."

Mr Martins insists his business is 'green', recycling working computers for students or household users rather than letting them go to the waste tip.

He says the signs are put up each Saturday morning and are taken down by Sunday night.

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