BT has been branded "mean" in a row over a council putting signs on its telegraph poles.

Members of Ryedale District Council have agreed to write a letter of protest to British Telecom, after the company told the council to remove all its signs from the poles.

They included signs warning dog owners that they face prosecution if their pets foul verges and footpaths, and planning notices.

The council's community services and licensing committee heard last night that BT had brought in a new policy, which meant the signs either had to be removed, or BT would have them refixed to meet health and safety regulations.

The latter would cost the council more than £20,000, said environmental health manager Steve Richmond.

"I think in 13 years on this council, this is the meanest thing I've ever seen come to this committee," said Coun Linda Cowling.

"I can't believe that a national company like BT has no public spirit. I hope nationally they get a really bad press over this. They know town and parish councils haven't got a lot of money. It smacks of desperation."

Coun Lindsay Burr said: "They put on television advertising saying: 'Come back to BT' - it would be nice if we could go back to them and say it's taken us all this money to take all our signs down. I just can't believe that this has come on our agenda. It's amazing."

The committee heard any other organisation putting signs on its posts would be seen as trespassing on BT property. BT proposed charging the council £176 to refix an existing sign, and £231 to fix a new one, both plus VAT.

Members voted to remove all signs from BT posts to avoid charges, write to town and parish councils to advise them of the decision and ask them to write an inventory of their signs, and also write to BT to express disapproval of the new policy.

Paul Dorrell, BT media relations manager, said: "Ryedale District Council did not ask permission to fix its signs to BT's poles. Had they done so they would have been advised of the company's requirements. BT has subsequently discussed the situation with representatives of the council and has confirmed its position and requirements in writing."

He said: "All poles are regularly tested to make certain that they are safe for engineers to climb and meet all the necessary safety standards. It is essential that any attachments to the pole do not impede these tests, or compromise health and safety requirements, or accelerate the decay of the pole."

Updated: 10:07 Friday, April 16, 2004