A farmer was ordered to remove a Hollywood-style sign painted on hay bales at his campsite by killjoy council officials who think it could distract drivers.

Fun-loving Mark Rutherford, 47, painted 13 silage bales to spell out ‘Camp Llandudno’ – the name of his new pop-up campsite at his farm.

But he was ordered by planning officials to remove the huge white letters on the rolling hillside because it could ‘pose a threat to highways.’

It comes after Mark launched the temporary new business venture at his farm in the seaside resort of Llandudno, North Wales.

He insists there is public support for the sign and hoped ‘common sense will prevail’, but was forced to concede because he had his ‘hands full here without needing a battle’.

 Posting on Facebook, Mr Rutherford said: ‘It’s a sad day, the sign is down.

‘It’s visual clutter they (Conwy County Borough Council) say, yet tents dotted around the fields for the month are OK!?’

He continued: ‘CCBC this sign wasn’t a visual blot in the country side advertising pink refrigerators! It was tasteful, short term advertising for an event on the land on which it was placed.

‘It benefited the local economy and it made your residents SMILE! It is OK to be a bit flexible sometimes and engage common sense!’

A farmer in north Wales has been ordered to remove his Hollywood-style sign for his new campsite after the council received a complaint about the ‘unauthorised advertising’

Australian Mark Rutherford, 47, painted the 13 silage bales to spell out ‘Camp Llandudno’, but was told by an enforcement officer that it could distract drivers

The sign has now been removed from the hay bales as Mr Rutherford said he had his ‘hands full without needing another battle’

Locals and visitors posted online about the temporary sign, describing it as ‘awesome’ and ‘fun’.

Mr Rutherford said: ‘There is huge demand from the public to pitch up and enjoy this lovely area we live in.

‘On Friday and Saturday nights we have more than 200 people here, many going into Llandudno and Conwy during the day to spend their tourism money.

Mark, who is originally from Australia, moved to the area with his family 15 years ago where he now tends to a small flock of Hardy Welsh sheep.

He opened the campsite offering 60 pitches with campfires and a pizza oven on August 2 – but was ordered to remove the sign just two days later.

He received a great deal of support online when he posted an update of the Camp Llandudno Facebook.

‘How stupid,’ said a Conwy Council worker. ‘What harm is it doing? It brings people in and they will visit local areas and spend on food & drink. At least there they won’t be littering the countryside and starting fires.’

Camp Llandudno offering 60 pitches with campfires and a pizza oven and hosts more than 200 people on weekends

The site was opened using permitted development rights which allow landowners to open temporary ventures for 28 days each year.

The Welsh Government extended the scheme to 56 days last year to help businesses recover from Covid lockdowns.

It is now examining whether the extended timeframe should stay permanently to help Wales make the most of the staycation boom.

Mark added: ‘The enforcement officer told me it could distract motorists on Pentywyn Road. But that’s kind of the point of having a sign in the first place.

‘I was surprised because you see temporary signs alongside roads all the time.

‘Sometimes you need to have a little flexibility and show some common sense. I’m hoping to have another chat with the council and hopefully common sense will prevail.’

Conwy Council said it had received a complaint about the sign before warning of enforcement action if it is not removed.

A council spokesman said: ‘We received a complaint about this unauthorised advertising. We’re disappointed that the owner hadn’t sought advice from us and instead has proceeded to display an advertisement without consent.

‘As the advertisement doesn’t have consent, we have informed the owner that he should remove the advertisement.

‘Unauthorised advertising can be harmful to the character of the area and can also pose a threat to highways. If an advertisement is not removed then we may consider enforcement action.’