A ROW is festering in a lakeside community over notices highlighting re-opened fell routes.

In one corner stands Coniston businessman Philip Johnston and in the other the village's parish council, which says consent for the signs is needed.

The information sheets were put up in Coniston by Mr Johnston and a group of local tourist operators, after foot-and-mouth access restrictions were lifted on June 9.

Mr Johnston saw red when he found a parish councillor removing one of them.

" Businesses here saw takings plummet by 70 per cent, because of the foot-and-mouth crisis," explained Mr Johnston.

"There are still serious concerns about our economy.

"When the Coniston fells re-opened, we responded by putting out information sheets which must have already been seen by tens of thousands."

But because the notices were not given the necessary approval to be displayed in public places, parish councillor Hughie Carroll removed those hanging on railings in the village centre.

Clerk to the council Charles Sargeant admitted the matter sounded petty, but added there was "no need to squabble".

"Since the foot-and-mouth disaster a lot of signs have gone up willy-nilly in the village.

We have the guardianship of rules and regulations, which must be implemented," said the clerk.

"If there is any pettiness, it is in Mr Johnston's refusal to write to the parish council for permission."

Mr Sargeant said it was important to protect against illegal notices, especially as the village was competing nationally and locally in the Britain in Bloom competition and "had to keep everything tidy".

"We applaud what Mr Johnston is trying to do.

We would be perfectly happy to see the notices displayed on his own premises and would consider having them elsewhere in the village, if asked in the proper way," added Mr Sargeant.

However, Mr Johnston hit back at "petty officialdom" and said he had never been asked to write for consent.

He has since put up new signs on the village railings, but Coun Carroll told The Westmorland Gazette he would be taking them down again.

"This is not an approved site," he said.

"Mr Johnston is going to ruin this village by making it look tatty."