Student city's poster purge

A special phoneline has been set up to report illegally-placed posters

Sheffield Council is organising special teams to take down posters aimed at students as they return for the new academic year.

As thousands of students taking courses at the city's two universities start to arrive in Sheffield, the city council says it is launching a "vigorous campaign" on fly-posting.

The rapid-response teams will take down posters that have been erected illegally to advertise student events.

And action is promised against clubs and bars that put up posters in the street during freshers' weeks.

A telephone hotline has been set up by the council for residents to ring if they spot posters displayed illegally in their neighbourhood.

Councillor Harry Harpman said: "We are determined to eradicate this street pollution that spoils the environment for everyone.

"Our officers have been geared up to remove these posters as soon as possible and we will be prosecuting those responsible."