"GHASTLY" signs hanging from Worcester's Guildhall gates are masking the city's beautiful architecture, a city man claims.

John Hodges, who dubbed the signs "inappropriate", has now written to city council staff urging them to remove the signs.

"I'm concerned about the dreadful sight of the ghastly, completely inappropriate red signs recently planted in the centre of the Guildhall gates," said Mr Hodges, of Spring Lane, off Tallow Hill.

"It's one of the finest and most beautiful civic buildings in the country and the pride of our city, and someone has decided to screw such ghastly signs on the very gates.

"I feel mostly sorry for the tourists and visitors to our beautiful city.

"What must they think and feel when they wish to take a photograph of this noble building and now are prevented by the eyesore recently erected?

"They have no choice but to scour the newsagent to find a postcard with an unspoilt view."

Mr Hodges criticised shops along the High Street for designing fronts that ruined the city's historical look.

"When you walk up the High Street and look up and see all those magnificent examples of English architecture then the ghastly shop fronts which have been allowed to be displayed, I'm surprised we have anyone in the council who cares a jot," added Mr Hodges.

But Philip Betts, director of corporate services at the council, explained that the boards were publicising the candidates standing in next month's elections.

"When candidates are nominated at a local election, it is a legal requirement for notice of the candidates nominated to be placed in a conspicuous and public place," said Mr Betts.

"For as long as anyone can remember in Worcester this has been by placing the notices on the Guildhall railings.

"In order to minimise the affect of the election notice boards on tourists and others wishing to photograph the building, I have arranged for the boards to be moved to the ends of the Guildhall railings rather than in the centre."