A WOMAN has upset villagers after putting up 'offensive' signs to discourage people from littering.

Jo Riddell placed six bright yellow signs bearing the slogan 'Don't be a tosser - take your rubbish home' along the roadside on her land in the Cheeseburn Grange Hall Estate, near Stamfordham, Northumberland.

The landowner became frustrated as she continually picked up a constant stream of litter, having collected 27 bags of rubbish since the start of the month alone, mostly thrown from passing cars.

The Grade II-star listed Cheeseburn Grange has been home to the Riddell family for generations.

Mrs Riddell has lived on the estate for 24 years with husband Simon, managing director of an agricultural company, and they have three children Ed, 25, Camilla, 21, and Henrietta, 18.

But her signs have caused offence to some villagers who say the sign is 'inappropriate' and two of her signs have been ripped down in recent weeks.

Edward Trevelyan, chairman of Stamfordham Parish Council, who has lived in the village for 30 years, said: "They are ghastly notices, an eyesore and they're rude. It's garish and defacing the countryside.

"I've had about six or seven complaints from residents. I hope they will be removed."

Mrs Riddell, 49, said: "I can't walk three paces around the estate without coming across litter. It's shocking and shameful.

"It's been getting worse in recent years.

"I have been going out every afternoon and have collected 27 bags of rubbish since the start of the month.

"I was inspired by a trip to Australia, I was walking along Bondi beach and the signs were along it. They said: 'Don't be a bloody tosser - take your rubbish home.'

"I had no idea it also meant something else over here. I just thought it meant a 'twit'. When my friend saw it she said, 'Gosh you're brave,' and told me about the slang.

"I was a bit shocked and I had to look it up on Google. It was a bit of an 'oops' moment. I was brought up with the Queen's English.

"But before I put the signs up I consulted legal experts, and I made sure they were only on my land.

"I also sought advice from the Campaign to Protect Rural England and there was no problem.

"I'm sorry if the signs cause offence and I know there have been some complaints. I'm a law abiding citizen and if I have broken the law, I will take them down.

"Perhaps I can re-word them. I didn't want to put signs up that simply said: "Don't litter," because noone would take any notice.

"Some people see the signs and say: "Good on you, you're trying to do something about the littering problem.

"I am a mother myself and would never set out to upset children.

"But I have picked up condoms, needles and pornographic videos along with all the bottles, cans, plastic and paper.

"Surely these piles of rubbish are more offensive to people than my sign?"

She added: "I feel the estate is a little bit of England that I am responsible for and if no-one else is going to clean it up then I will do it myself.

"I like to live by what Gandhi said 'Be the change you would like to see in the world'.

"I never put the signs up to seek publicity, but if anything good can come of this I hope it will at least spark a debate about what we can do about the litter in the area and all around the country.

"I hope parents educate their children that they must pick up litter. Some of the litter comes from 'white van men' where sandwich wrappers and cans are thrown to the roadside, some are McDonald's wrappers and bags and drinks cups, and others are from kids meals so I don't know if people are encouraging their kids to litter too.

"It's disgusting and irresponsible. The whole country has this problem, it's not just on my land.

"Littering and rubbish affects the whole world, there's the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and people should be aware of it."

Parents of children at nearby Stamfordham First School were divided on the issue.

Louise Chalmers, 40, who has a daughter Lily, five, said: "I think they're terrible. There was something in the village newsletter about it.

"It is a bit awkward to have to explain to a five-year-old what the word means.

"Lily is just learning to read and when she saw the sign she asked what the word meant.

"I think it is inappropriate. I don't even think it will work, that kind of sign could be like a red rag to a bull."

Kerry Harrison, 30, an accounts administrator from Ponteland, Newcastle, who has two children Jamie, seven and Bethany, six, said: "The kids saw the yellow sign when we were driving past and asked me what a tosser meant.

"I just told them it was someone who threw litter, I didn't find it awkward.

There is a lot around and I think she's doing a good thing. People shouldn't throw litter."

Sarah Bell, 42, a full-time mother from Matfen, Northumberland, said: "I thought it was funny and puts the point across. I can see some people might be offended."

Her daughter Amy, eight, added: "There is a lot of litter about. I think the posters are good."