A TOWN council determined to keep its streets tidy and free from obstacles is calling on residents to help by reporting fly posters and traders who create problems.

Northallerton town council was told there were 52 advertising street boards in the town one weekend and – combined with fly posters left on empty shops and buildings – it spoils the look of the town.

The Mayor, Councillor John Forrest, said anyone with concerns should contact the town council. A portfolio will be put together which will be taken to Hambleton District council for fly posting and North Yorkshire county highways for any problems with A board advertising.

Cllr Forrest said: “The problem is, it can make the town look scruffy if we have fly posters left – especially on empty buildings and shop windows. They become tatty and spoil the look of the town. We’ve even had some left up advertising a circus in Guisborough for goodness sake.

“If people came and took them down after the event has been held it would not be so bad. But of course they just get left and become more and more unsightly.

"We are doing everything to make the town look good. It’s a lovely town, and we want to keep it nice and this kind of thing just doesn’t help.

“It makes no real sense to have a shop on the High Street and have A boards outside, you wonder whether they are needed."

Cllr Paul Atkins added:“You get phone shops advertising that they sell phones, and Greggs that they sell sausage rolls – well, I am surprised about that.

"They have shop windows, are they not big enough for them? They make the town look untidy, we should tell North Yorkshire highways they should get rid of the lot.”

There is particular concern on market days when High Street pavements are busier and more congested.

Cllr Jack Dobson said:” It is a particular problem for people in wheelchairs or with buggies, they can’t get past and it is just not fair that they have to try and negotiate with these kinds of obstacles.”