SIGNS are causing continuing concern to a civic watchdog.

Harrogate Civic Society's campaign to curb internally illuminated shopfront signs, large hoardings and other intrusive advertisements is achieving some notable victories.

The society, which scrutinised more than 600 planning applications in recent months, has been campaigning against obtrusive signage.

Its planning spokesman Henry Pankhurst said in the society's latest newsletter that successes included refusal of a large illuminated hoarding in Knaresborough Road, dismissed on appeal, and a petrol station tower sign, in Wetherby Road, which has also been turned down.

Meanwhile Debenham's department store, in Parliament Street, has lodged an appeal against the borough council's refusal for two high profile vertical sets of lettering.

The society's planning scrutineer said high-level signs were not normally approved in the town's conservation areas.

An illuminated advertisement sign in a front garden in the conservation area at Victoria Avenue has been refused and a similar one in the same road sparked an objection to planners from the society.

Mr Pankhurst said the society was unhappy about clusters of telecommunication masts and expressed concern about an application by Morrisons supermarket, at Hookstone Chase, to put up a 13 metre high pole when an eight metre one already existed nearby.

But the society's plea was refused and the council granted permission.