Banner war couple told 'grow up'

A couple who apparently aired their grievances with each other in public have been told to stop being "immature" and seek counselling.

Their failing relationship was made public when a banner hung over the A27 Brighton bypass signed "JBS" said: "Wendy, I want a divorce".

A replacement banner then read: "No way. You are the cheat! Wendy."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said permission had to be given for signs to be put up at the side of the road.

'Marriage in turmoil'

"This may seem amusing but our job is casualty reduction.

"We do not want people looking up into the sky and not on the road," he said.

The first 6ft-wide banner was draped from a bridge over the bypass in the Hollingbury area last week, with the angry riposte placed at exactly the same spot a few days later.

Apart from the initials and the name Wendy the identity of the couple has not been revealed.

However, a senior counsellor for the relationship advice group Relate said it was clear they were very angry with each other.

Christine Northam said: "These signs show that this couple are acting out the turmoil of the break-up of their marriage in front of an audience.

"They must be very angry to do this in such a public way. It is certainly very immature and we would urge them to seek counselling... they seem furious."