A GROUNDBREAKING scheme will be launched to reduce "roadside clutter" in Hampshire.

The county council and Campaign to Protect Rural England are undertaking a pilot project to cut the amount of unnecessary signs in the countryside.

It will begin this year with an audit on the A32 between West Meon and Wickham.

The project steering group is expected to be made up of officers from the county council's environment department, local county councillors, the police and CPRE representatives.

County councillor Tim Knight, executive member for environment, said: "The most important aspect of the audit has to be road user safety, so we must ensure that this is not compromised.

"At the same time, we support CPRE's aims and would like to reduce unnecessary sign clutter as appropriate to improve the tranquillity of rural roads, while improving the clarity of local signing for everyone's benefit."

Christopher Napier, the chairman of CPRE Hampshire, said: "We are very pleased to be invited to take part in this exciting project.

"As a branch we have been actively campaigning for a reduction in signage on our rural roads and the use of more sympathetic signs. Use of too many signs undermines the character and appearance of rural roads."

A CPRE survey of parishes in 2004 showed strong support for its campaign.