A THEATRE group told it could not advertise its annual panto because of a district council litter-busting campaign is celebrating a U-turn by highways chiefs.

The Monday Night Group, which is staging Jack and the Beanstalk in January, will be able to put up placards along roadsides, if it re-applies for permission to the Highways Partnership Forum.

The group, whose last production raised more than £18,000 for 80 causes, hit problems following the launch of Wyre Forest District Council's Grime is a Crime campaign.

One element of the campaign, which is backed by the Shuttle/Times & News, is the removal of unauthorised advertising material from highways.

Pantomime producer Alan Green said: "We're delighted they've decided to look at this again. We did everything correctly. We were told to apply; we did and were turned down. We have applied again and I hope we're given permission this time.

"It's a very sensible move, not just for us, but for all other community events like carnivals."

Highways Partnership Forum chairman Councillor Peter Carter said: "This is not a change of policy, we're bringing a bit of common sense to it."

And he dismissed as "a bit rich", last week's attack on the Highways Partnership by district council leader Mike Oborski, who branded the refusal, "complete and utter uncaring foolishness".

He said: "It was Councillor Oborski who wanted all the unauthorised road signs taken down.

"But if you take one down, you have to take them all down. This was not thought through."

He added forum members who met in September agreed unanimously they should have the discretion to allow community-based projects, such as village fetes and carnivals, to promote events.

This was provided signs did not pose a hazard, were agreed with the highways manager and were taken down immediately afterwards. The agreement was reached after the group's application, he added.