A CRACKDOWN is being launched on illegal flyposting and businesses are being warned they face fines of up to £2,500 if convicted.

Officers from Easington District Council have contacted 60 firms in the district believed to be responsible for much of the flyposting, warning them of the penalties they face.

While they have been told they will face no action this time, council staff made it clear that this is a final warning before enforcement action is taken.

During a clean-up campaign earlier this year, more than 200 temporary signs taped to lampposts and road signs were taken down by council staff, including adverts for housing developers and takeaways.

Keith Parkinson, the council's environmental health and licensing manager, said: "We have issued written warnings to those organisations responsible for the signs.

"If they repeat this offence by putting up more posters or placards, we will remove them and seek to recover the costs of this work as well as considering prosecution.

"Flyposting is not a large-scale problem but it does affect the appearance of the district and we are therefore keen to tackle the problem."