REGULARS at a village pub have started a petition to allow the landlord to retain a controversial advertising board.

Morris Race has been placing the sign outside the Wheatsheaf at Staindrop in a bid to boost passing trade, as the inn is set back from the road.

He believed he was within his rights to put the sign out for two hours each lunchtime, between Monday and Friday, after asking permission of landowner Lord Barnard and obtaining the necessary insurance. But the parish council, as custodians, pointed out that one of the conditions attached to Raby's approval was that all other necessary consent be obtained.

Councillors had previously sympathised with Mr Race, saying they did not want to make life difficult for him as the pub was an asset to the village, but they could not be seen to set a precedent which might lead to a rush of similar boards.

The clerk, Joe Hodgson, explained that a bylaw adopted by the parish council meant that nobody could put things on the green without its consent. Any dispensations must be to the benefit of parishioners, such as the carnival and quoits.

However, Mr Race feels such a dispensation would be within the council's remit.

"About 90pc of my lunchtime custom is passing trade, who comment that they wouldn't have spotted the pub if it were not for the sign," he said. "The more people who frequent the pub, the more I am able to donate to good causes in the village, such as the Christmas lights."

His customers also remain unhappy with the decision, which has led to Amanda Horner helping set up the petition with other regulars, which will be presented to the council.

"My daughter and I collected 60 signatures on the first night, and two businessmen have taken forms for others to sign in support," she said. "People feel quite strongly about this."

Mr Race said the petition was not at his instigation and he had not encouraged it, although he was heartened by it.

However, Mr Hodgson said if Mr Race had any comments, the proper course of action would be to put them in writing to the clerk, when they would be considered at the next meeting of the council in September.