Royal Wootton Bassett mayor Steve Bucknell has joined local residents in criticising Wiltshire Council’s threat to take legal action against George Scarrott and Son’s Family Fun Fair for displaying advertising boards in the area.

The local authority warned that the “unauthorised advertisements” currently displayed on lamposts could incur a daily fine of £250 each or warrant an appearance at Magistrates Court, which local residents have branded “ridiculous.”

“Scarrott and other showmen have no other way of promoting their funfairs at short notice in a way that will reach out to all people,” said Bucknall. “They make a point of collecting up their boards after each fair, and have been doing this for over 80 years.”

“I would have thought that Wiltshire Council Highways and Planning teams have far more important things to be spending their time on than this. Maybe they should concentrate more on the really important issue.”

George Scarrott said he was “very shocked” to have received the threat of a £2,500 fine, telling the Swindon Advertiser “never before have we had a complaint or issue regarding our advertising for our local community events.”

“Without advertising our family fairground simply wouldn’t be able to make events financially viable.”