A controversial advertising hoarding which was described as a 'blot on the landscape' has been attacked twice by vandals.

Damage estimated at £500 was caused to the lorry trailer parked near Dick Hudson's Country Inn, at High Eldwick.

Arsonists tried to set fire to the hoarding last Wednesday and the curtain side of the trailer was slashed with a knife on Friday night.

Last week, the Telegraph & Argus reported how residents and pub-goers had complained about the visual impact of the hoarding on the rural surroundings.

Bradford Council said it had written to Keighley-based Great Northern Cars - the company advertised on the hoarding - to ask for the unauthorised trailer to be removed within 10 days.

Former world-class show jumper Harvey Smith, who owns land and property nearby, has an interest in the business being advertised.

Ian Smith, manager of Great Northern Cars, said: "It's a real mess and it will be quite expensive to repair - probably about £500.

"They have chopped the canopy to smithereens, making it an eyesore, not a 'blot on the landscape'.

"A few days before, they tried to burn it by setting fire to the corner of it."

Mr Smith urged anyone who might have information about the vandalism to contact him or the police.

He said: "The trailer was parked in the field, owned by my uncle, to advertise kid's bikes and quads for the New Year, not meaning to cause any offence to anyone. If this has caused offence to people I do apologise.

"I am at a loss to understand why the people complaining did not pick up the phone and ring the garage to ask me to remove it. The number was quoted on the trailer. This would have been the obvious course of action to take."

Mr Smith claimed Bradford Council had not yet been in touch to discuss the hoarding with him even though the Council said it had written to him and the land-owner. He said the trailer would be moved "very shortly".

Keighley Police confirmed that the curtain of the trailer was slashed between 7pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday.

Anyone with information should call Keighley Police on (01535) 617059 or Great Northern Cars on (01535) 690418.