SUPPORTERS of a rural shop owner, accused of advertising without permission, have urged a council to support rather than prosecute him.

Dave Greenland, who owns the Spar shop, in Gainford, has been warned he faces prosecution by Teesdale District Council, over adverts in his window for video rentals.

Mr Greenland does not have planning permission for the advertising and, although he has removed one of the posters, the council is still threatening action.

Alongside the video adverts is a charity poster promoting a coin being sold to raise money for the Crisis in the Countryside appeal.

The appeal has been set up to raise money for farmers and other businesses affected by the foot- and-mouth crisis.

The poster was put up by Pat Dent, of Woodlands Farm, Caldwell.

She said: "I am worried that if Mr Greenland takes his video adverts down he will also be made to take this poster down as well.

"The poster is actually raising money for farmers affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis and it would be terrible if it was removed.

"Mr Greenland has really helped the local economy. He has reopened a shop that had been closed for years."

A council spokesman said unless the poster was removed, or Mr Greenland was granted retrospective permission, he would be prosecuted.