After flouting planning rules for two weeks, a call from the Oxford Mail has persuaded Sainsbury's to remove 'illegal' signs from outside their Kidlington store.

The retail giant erected the signs on public land in front of the store in Banbury Road, about three months ago.

But the six identical billboards, each about six feet tall with the same message about extension work being carried out at the store, provoked complaints from residents.

Ben Panaman, one of the residents who contacted Cherwell District Council, said: "These boards are on public land and apart from being ugly and saying the same thing, were blocking out the view of a really nice tree."

He added: "Sainsbury's are setting a bad example that businesses can put up illegal advertising and get away with it.

"I've already noticed other illegal advertising signs going up near the park and ride."

Two weeks ago, Duncan Chadwick, planning control officer for the district council, met the store manager and planning agents to ask for the signs to be removed.

He said: "The signs are quite large and unattractive and are not approved under the advertisement consent regulations.

"We told them of our concerns and they agreed to take them down, so I was very surprised to learn they were still up."

On Friday, the Oxford Mail asked Sainsbury's why the signs were still up.

A spokesman for the retail giant said that although the company had had no formal notification to take them down, it was moving the signs "as we speak."

Controversy has surrounded the extension of the Kidlington Sainsbury's store for two years.

The plan to increase floor space by 1,392 square metres to 4,756 square metres were rejected by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott amid concerns about its effect on local traders.

An amended proposal went to public inquiry in June 2005, and was eventually given the green light in October.