Eastleigh Borough Council bosses have threatened to prosecute organisers of its own summer music festival if they stick up any more posters advertising the event.

The authority is waving the big stick over fly-posters which appeared in parts of the borough - even though it is pouring thousands of pounds into the event.

Eastleigh is paying £25,000 sponsorship in a bid to ensure the ten-day event - featuring acts such as Will Young and American superstar Dionne Warwick - is a big hit.

But the tough message was sent to festival organiser Peter Chegwyn, after Councillor Steve Broomfield complained to a full meeting of the borough council about posters put up at junction seven of the M27 at Hedge End, advertising concerts for Bill Wyman and Dionne Warwick.

Councillor Godfrey Olson also told the meeting that posters for the festival, in Fleming Park, had been attached to railings at the Central Precinct in Chandler's Ford.

Cllr Broomfield said he wanted a stop put to illegal advertising of the event by Southampton-based promoters Soundbass. He said: "If this goes ahead next year, I would like it to be made clear to Soundbass that this is not allowed by other organisations and won't be allowed by them."

However, Mr Chegwyn told the Daily Echo: "There is not a single fly-poster up in Eastleigh. They were put up in error and promptly taken down."