THIEVES are endangering drivers and risking prison by stealing road signs.

Men in blue overalls, posing as workers, have been seen removing signs around Darlington.

At least two chevron signs have been stolen in the past week, and nine information signs have gone from lay-bys.

The aluminium signs are valuable as scrap, and can be used to repair cars and caravans.

Darlington Borough Council has reported the thefts to police, and promised to prosecute anyone caught.

Inspector Bill Dutton, from Darlington police, said the thefts would be investigated and added: "Theft carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, and causing a danger to other road users carries seven years. Anyone using the signs would be handling stolen goods, which carries ten years."

Two black and white chevron signs, used to highlight sharp corners, have been taken from Neasham Road, between the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena and Neasham.

Councillor Peter Foster, who represents nearby Hurworth, said: "There have been accidents in the past on these corners -that is why the chevron signs are there. One guy told me he saw a pick-up truck at a signpost.

"A man in blue overalls got out and took the sign. This has happened before.

"Vandalism and theft costs this country a lot of money. The signs do not come cheap, and Darlington can ill-afford it."

The two chevron signs are Darlington Borough Council's responsibility, and the nine other signs are the Highway Agency's responsibility. GRS Signs, in Lincolnshire, supplies signs to councils nationwide. Manager Pat Jacklin said the price of aluminium had gone up because of a worldwide demand, particularly from China.

He said: "Scrap aluminium is now worth up to £700 a tonne, because of Chinese demand. There is now a move to make signs from material with no scrap value. The cost price of a sign, say 4ft by 18in, is about £120, maybe more."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

l In June, The Northern Echo reported a spate of thefts of copper lightning conductors from churches in the region.

l In August, thieves stole more than £50,000 worth of drain covers from across County Durham to sell for scrap