POLICE have warned people not to leave birthday wishes on bedsheets tied to a pedestrian bridge after some near misses with motorists caused by loose messages.

Consett Police made the appeal following concerns about people continually attaching banners to the bridge on A692 Consett Bypass.

Some are are professionally made and some are old bedsheets.

In one instance a few years ago it almost caused an accident when it caught in the windscreen of an articulated lorry. Fortunately the driver, who was very shocked, was experienced enough to control the lorry without causing an accident.

Consett neighbourhood inspector Keith Wardle said: “There is a huge risk to road users, if they are not properly attached.

“It’s quite a windy location and quite exposed and they often blow off in the wind. They could get into the highway and cause an accident.

“The last thing you want is something to distract the driver at a junction and have something falling off the bridge and surprising someone.

“It is a concern to use and we would treat it as a serious matter if something did happen.”

Insp Wardle said any posters found on the bridge would be removed and destroyed.

Anyone who attaches a message to the bridge could also face a fine of £80 for fly-posting.