THE sign at the centre of a row between a council and the supporters of "Metric Martyr" Steve Thoburn was put up by the defunct Tyne and Wear Development Corporation.

Sunderland City Council recently won a court battle against Mr Thoburn for selling goods in imperial measures.

Earlier this week, the authority was accused of hypocrisy by the greengrocer and another trader, fishmonger Neil Heron, for erecting a sign for the Fishquay with the distance measured in metres.

The campaigners said the sign was illegal under the regulations of the 1994 Road Traffic Act.

City of Sunderland cabinet member Councillor Ian Galbraith said yesterday that the sign was not approved by the council, and was put up by the former Tyne and Wear Development Corporation, which built the riverside path.

He said: "We are grateful to Neil Heron for bringing this rogue sign to our attention, and it was removed immediately.

"It is a pity Mr Heron was so quick to accuse the council of breaking the law, and in seeking some mischievous publicity, before checking the facts with us first.

"Council efforts and taxpayers' money has been redirected to this case from more valuable work on road safety and maintenance."