COUNCIL bosses in Northumberland have started a review of planning rules after growing anger over a clampdown on rural businesses and voluntary groups.

The Journal has highlighted several cases in the last few months in which organisations have faced prosecution for advertising events or trying to promote firms employing dozens of people.

Legal warnings have been sent making clear that the council is prepared to take court action rather than allow simple roadside signs to remain in place.

That signs crackdown has seen the like of the Glanton Show fall foul of planning rules.

A committee of volunteers who stage the annual show were given five days to remove signs promoting the popular event or risk being hauled before magistrates.

And earlier this month husband and wife team Hugh and Sarah Annett were told by Northumberland County Council to take down four advertising signs which they had put up near their Country Barn farm shop and coffee shop at Widdrington. But now officers have bowed to pressure and promised to review their strict planning laws.

The move comes after Conservative group leader Peter Jackson contacted chief executive Steve Stewart warning that the council was hampering local livelihoods.