AN Exmoor publican claims he is being victimised after being ordered to remove banners and A-boards advertising his business.

Howard Willis, who owns the George Inn in Brompton Regis, says he believes local authorities should be doing all they could to support rural businesses in the tough economic climate.

But instead, he claims he has been picked on by both Exmoor National Park Authority and West Somerset Council.

"I've spent £50,000 renovating the pub and we keep hearing how village pubs are closing every week across the country, but when I put up a banner to advertise the fact the pub is under new management, I get a nasty letter ordering me to remove it," Mr Willis said.

"If I don't get customers through the door the pub will have to shut, it's that simple.

"All I'm trying to do is let locals and tourists know that we're here and we're open."

Mr Willis has fallen foul of both the park authority and the district council for putting up banners at Bury Hill, Dulverton, alongside Wimbleball Lake and off Seaward Way in Minehead.

On each occasion he said he had received letters ordering him to remove the banners or face legal action.

Mr Willis said he had taken numerous photos of what he believed were unauthorised A-boards and banners around both West Somerset and Exmoor and accused the local authorities of double standards.

"I've lived her 12 years now but I'm sure I'm being victimised because I'm not a local," he said.

"There are boards on pavements all over the place and there are several pubs and sports grounds, particularly in West Somerset, that have banners up outside them all the time.

"I'm so peeved about it - the district council puts on its website it's here to help tourism and local business, but that's obviously just a load of rubbish."

The banner at Seaward Way in Minehead was put up alongside another unauthorised banner showing the way to Minehead Hospital.

Although the hospital sign was up for a number of weeks before being removed, Mr Willis said his sign only lasted a matter of days before the council told him to remove it.

A spokesman for West Somerset Council said Mr Willis had put the banner on a council-owned fence without permission and that was why the authority had acted swiftly.

Corporate director Bruce Lang said: "As a local planning authority West Somerset Council will address any alleged breaches of advertising regulations on a case by case basis.

"The particular issue of banners on the fence along Seaward Way was dealt with by way of the council being the landowner and these were removed in this context and not by using planning authority powers."

Mr Willis said he accepted he would need planning permission to permanently display an advertising sign but believed he was allowed to use a banner for up to 28 days each year.

"I'm not asking anyone to let me advertise the pub permanently for weeks and weeks on end, I just want to do it for a few days as I want to let the tourists know we're open," Mr Willis said.

A spokesman for Exmoor National Park Authority said officers were more than happy to speak to local businesses to try and help where they could but said there were concerns about the proliferation of advertising signs around the national park.

"We have had concerns raised about unauthorised advertising, particularly in connection with the excessive amount of large white banners that have been erected in the countryside and also in some towns and villages," she said.

"In this instance, given the size and quantity of the advertising, we have had no alternative but to ask that they be removed.

"We follow up all queries and we are in discussion with the owners of several businesses to see how we can accommodate their wishes.

"If anyone would like some help we are always happy to offer guidance they should contact the national park authority offices on 01398 323665."

Photo: Steve Guscott