A FOOTBALL Club's sponsor has agreed to remove a devilish advertising board from the ground after receiving complaints that it was in bad taste.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans was among people who expressed concern after the hoarding, which showed a registration plate which read SAT 4N, appeared at the sides of the pitch at Preston North End's Deepdale ground.

It was part of a promotion campaign by New Reg, Preston's new sponsor.

The club has responded by asking for the boards to be replaced, and New Reg have agreed.

Chief executive Tony Scholes said: "The New Reg boards look extremely good inside Deepdale and the use of the number plates is a great idea, however, we didn't think that the SAT 4N board fitted with the image the club is trying to portray and so we asked if it could be changed and they have agreed."

Steve Jackson, who owns New Reg, said he understood North End's stance, said: "I cannot understand why the government would let me have it on one of my cars when it could cause a lot of offence."

A new number plate should be in place in time for Saturday's game against Stoke City.