AS part of a Mid Beds District Council crackdown on illegal advertising across the district a Stotfold pub has been fined £600 for persistent breaches of advertisement regulations. The Fox and Duck pub in Arlesey Road, Stotfold, pleaded guilty to six out

AS part of a Mid Beds District Council crackdown on illegal advertising across the district a Stotfold pub has been fined £600 for persistent breaches of advertisement regulations.

The Fox and Duck pub in Arlesey Road, Stotfold, pleaded guilty to six out of seven summonses for breaching regulations on roadside and other advertising at Bedford Magistrates' Court last Thursday.

These are just seven out of 24 offences during the past year and relate to a number of signs erected by the tenants Andrew and Nicola Ralley along Arlesey Road, the A507 and at the pub itself.

Such signs, say the council, can be both dangerous distractions for motorists and detrimental to their rural location.

John Hill, the council's enforcement team leader, said: "We are now looking to crack down on illegal roadside advertising across the area. These signs are unsightly and can be dangerous to drivers.

"Once one company puts them up others follow suit - this may not be the last case of this kind unless unauthorised advertisements are removed.

"Mid Beds refused advertising consent in January 2006 and gave the tenants a reasonable amount of time to remove the adverts, but had little choice but to begin prosecution proceedings, following their continued display.

"Mid Beds will continue to monitor the site to ensure all of the adverts are removed and consider reissuing a summons on both the tenants and Greene King if they are not removed or if further offences are committed.

"Mid Beds is looking at taking out similar action against other businesses and individuals. "

Andrew Ralley, the landlord, said: "Our business cannot survive without advertising. We were hard done by but the judge was fair.