ESTATE agents in North Yorkshire have been warned of a crackdown on illegally placed "for sale" signs.

Enforcement chiefs at Harrogate Borough Council, which covers Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Harrogate said the situation can no longer be tolerated.

They said many for sale boards are put up long distances from properties or land on the market and some are placed at the nearest road junctions in a bid to direct potential buyers to the out-of-the-way sites.

Others were found attached to traffic signs and street furniture.

Chief planning enforcement officer Alistair Wood said two signs are often shown for the same property and some signs are bigger than the legal size.

The enforcement department has prepared stick on sheets headed "illegal" which will be overpasted on offending boards. If boards are not removed the council will take them away.

Mr Wood said: "In future the display of any illegal boards will be treated as such, resulting in removal or obliteration of the sign or prosecution of the advertiser, whichever is appropriate."

He added: "We hope that estate agents co-operate in addressing this recent trend to breach regulations."

Anyone displaying an illegal sign faces a fine of up to £1,000 and £100 for each day the sign stays following a conviction.

The department is also cracking down on general fly posting throughout the district. Illegal posters will be taken down.