A court case relevant to many small traders across the county was dealt with by Reigate magistrates last week.

In a case brought by Surrey County Council, Michael Jones, a butcher from Woking, pleaded guilty to placing illegal signs on Highways Land and failing to remove them despite repeated warnings and requests from the council.

He was fined £2,000 plus costs of £1,540.

Surrey County Council maintained that the signs were illegal and could pose obstructions and in some cases a danger to the public, as well as distracting drivers.