FURIOUS heritage campaigners have attacked the city council for giving itself permission to erect two "appalling" metal signposts.

The council had a policy against shops and restaurant putting out advertising boards but has itself erected the huge signs outside the Guildhall.

The two ten-foot high metal signs appeared this week without warning next to the historic Guildhall at a cost of £8,000.

Pat Edwards, chairman of the City of Winchester Trust, said: "It is appalling and awful. They are totally inappropriate. The fact they were put up without any consultation is a disgrace.

"The council has given itself permission which is outrageous. They ruin the appearance of the building."

Traders, too, were angry at the apparent double standards. Tom Romita, of Winchester News in St George's Street, has been at loggerheads with the council over signs outside his shop.

He said: "They are very touchy about them. They have double standards."

City councillors are angry that planning officers alone had made the decision.

Patrick Davies said: "Why was it that the signposts were put up without the consent of any councillors and that the decision was taken purely by officers?"

Deputy council leader Councillor Therese Evans said there was a need to put signage outside the Guildhall to advertise it. She said the signs were permitted under planning guidelines.

Councillor Chris Pines said said: "When Winnall Commun-ity Association applied to put up a sign outside their centre explaining what they do, they were told they needed planning permission. Why isn't it the same for the council?"

But Robin Cooper, director of development services, said that local authority buildings didn't need permission.