Romantics have been asked to stop putting love messages on a busy roundabout, writes Penny Studdy.

Kidlington roundabout is littered with makeshift notices of undying love, birthday wishes and other greetings.

But parish councillors have appealed for an end to the practice before an accident happens.

They said people were putting their lives at risk by putting up the notices on the roundabout chevron signs - and council staff were putting their lives at risk taking them down.

Parish clerk Trish Redpath said: "It is a dangerous practice because someone has to walk across to the roundabout to reach the chevrons to tie on the notice. "Cherwell District Council then has to remove it, which in itself is dangerous, and it is using council taxpayers' money. People are good at putting them up but not at taking them down.

"If the notices come untied during bad weather, they are a potential hazard to road users. The chevrons are there so that approaching motorists can clearly see the roundabout ahead and adjust their speed accordingly." Among recent messages was one from Kidlington Pc Dean Maskell, asking girlfriend Georgina Gwyn-Smith, of Brasenose Drive, Kidlington, to marry him. She accepted and the couple have set their wedding date for June.

Pc Maskell, of Long Hanborough, said at the time: "Other people put up posters about their birthdays. I just wanted the world to know I was in love."

He declined to comment on the parish council's views.

Story date: Wednesday 09 February

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