PLANNERS are being asked to investigate 'inappropriate' illuminated signs that have appeared on a 278-year old Bramhope pub.

The new signs at the entrance and side of the Fox and Hounds inn, beside The Cross on Church Hill, went up without warning earlier this month.

The pub, owned by the Spirit Group (which was taken over by Punch Taverns on January 6) insists it has the necessary planning permission to make the change.

But Bramhope Parish Council, anxious to reverse what it sees as an "inappropriate" alteration to one of the village's oldest buildings, has now taken the matter up with Leeds City Council's planning department.

Parish councillor and insurance broker Denis Johnson, whose workplace is only a stone's throw from the inn, said: "I noticed some work going on outside the Fox and Hounds, some of which was to replace the small sign on the right hand side of the front door with a slightly bigger one, which wasn't a particular problem.

"But to the left there was a large sign, around 4ft by 2ft, being nailed or screwed to the wall and a similar sized one has been put on the side wall, by the car park.

"All the new signs come with individual lighting. We as a parish council are concerned because the pub's nearly 300-years-old and people keep nailing things onto it.

"I don't think these signs are appropriate but that's not really relevant, what's relevant is whether they've actually got permission and that's why I've raised the matter and taken it up with (ward councillor) Clive Fox."

"The Fox and Hounds is at the heart of the community that it serves and the views of our customers and local residents are extremely important to us. In response to local feedback we will take action to alter the signage."