COUNCILLORS have blown the whistle on World Cup advertising banners outside pubs.

Todmorden town's development committee want the banners taken down because they have not been granted planning permission.

Chairman Coun John Oldham said: "I don't want to be accused of being a kill-joy but some of these advertising banners can only be described as unsightly."

He said one local advertising banner in a designated conservation area had been there for two years.

Coun Simon Ormerod said he was concerned at the level of advertising plugging the World Cup, not only by brewers but also by some of the large stores.

Once the World Cup was over those responsible should be notified and told to take them down, said Coun Tony Martin.

The committee agreed to write to Calderdale Council asking for enforcement action to be taken where banners were illegally left up over an extended period.

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