A CRACKDOWN on ‘fly posters’ has seen more than 60 illegal signs removed — including one that had been in place for more than 10 years.

Blackburn with Darwen Council launched the purge on the signs advertising housing developments in the borough.

One, advertising a Barratt Homes development in Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, was more than 10 years old.

The firm has now been given a fixed penalty notice of £50 for leaving it in place, the council said.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “Putting up these types of signs without permission is not permitted and we’re very keen to stamp out the practice.

“Some of the signs were for developments that have long-since been completed and, in one particular case, one that was finished 10 years ago.

“Although some of the builders are no longer traceable we have issued fixed penalty notices to offending developers where possible.”

The crackdown from the council, along with Capita and the AA, was launched last summer and targeted posters, banners, laminated promotional materials and leaflets which were pasted or fixed to walls, lampposts, railings and trees.

Coun Cottam added: “It is not just illegal, it adversely affects the way our comm-unities look and feel and costs time and money to clean up.”

New council guidance recommends fixed penalties are used for minor fly-posting offences, and one fixed penalty can be issued per poster.

It also recommends that a court prosecution should take place if there are more than five posters.

Barratt Homes was unavailable for comment.