A NEW policy on roadside advertising banners close to the Ellicombe roundabout in Minehead is set to be drawn up after civic chiefs sparked a furious reaction by removing a number of unauthorised signs.

Local businessman Derek Merson contacted the Free Press after a banner promoting a forthcoming wedding fayre at his Hobby Horse Inn in Minehead was taken down from a fence in Seaward Way last Friday.

Mr Merson said that at the same time two further banners - one advertising a charity ball and another for an event to raise money for the Somerset St Margaret's Hospice - were also removed from the same location.

He said although the land was owned by West Somerset Council and he had not asked permission to put up his wedding fayre banner, he believed he had the right to display it for 14 days.

"The council never contacted me to tell me what they were doing and I had a job tracking down where my banner had gone," said Mr Merson.

"I always make sure that I remove any signs like this as soon as the event has taken place.

"You'd think the council would be trying to support businesses when the economy is going through such a difficult time and not making an issue of something like this."

Mr Merson said he had allowed the council to put up a sign listing businesses on land he owned on the Mart Road industrial estate in the town.

"I didn't ask for any payment, I just gave my permission," he said.

"But this sort of reaction makes me want to just go and take it down.

"I'm really cross about this because my banner and the others there weren't doing any harm."

But council spokesman Bruce Lang said there were a number of issues to be considered.

"It is important that the council is consistent and also that we look very carefully at the issue of road safety," he said.

Mr Lang said the council was currently seeking advice from Somerset County Council highway chiefs on whether displaying banners on the fence would have an impact on highway safety.

"They could well be seen as a distraction for drivers.

"But we are reviewing the situation and we plan to draw up a clear policy on this."

Mr Lang said the outcome could be that a small section of the fence might be available to display advertising banners, with the permission of the council.

But he said in all cases the landowner - in this instance the council - should be consulted.

Councillors are expected to discuss the issue and a possible new policy once advice has been received from highway chiefs.