A SIGN erected in Thormanby on the A19 to warn drivers of what locals call Death Hill, may result in the parish council being prosecuted.

The sign featuring a coffin and the words Death Hill, is one of two erected in October last year by the parish council to get drivers to slow down.

The signs were made as part of a local campaign to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph through the village, which lies between Thirsk and Easingwold on the busy York road.

Locals also want a Thormanby by-pass to be built, so the majority of traffic travelling on the A19 to and from York could avoid the village altogether.

The hill referred to in the sign has a blind summit when approached from both the north and south, and has been the site of many accidents.

One of the signs, which was situated to the south of the village, was removed in January, but Hambleton's planning officers say there has been a continued refusal to remove the one on the north side.

According to the planning officers, advertisement consent is required for the sign, which the Highways Agency says is a distraction to drivers and could compromise safety.

As a result, planning officers have reccommended that Hambleton's planning committee formally requests that the parish council removes the sign within two weeks, or prosecution proceedings will be started.

Coun Barry Dodd, chairman of Thormanby Parish Council, which erected the signs, said locals felt the sign was part of the village noticeboard.

"It is our publicity tool, to let people know about our campaign. Residents feel there has definitely been a slowing down through the village since the sign's been there."

He added that money was available for a Thormanby by-pass, but North Yorkshire County Council had not yet submitted a bid for the government cash.

"We feel so strongly about it we have raised substantial funds in the village for a traffic survey to prove, without question, that we need a by-pass.

"We don't want them to focus on whether we can have a sign, because they should be concentrating on removing the hazard. There was a by-pass planned for Thormanby in 1996, which was dropped because of government cuts.

"We see no reason at all now that the money is available, why we can't have a by-pass. It seems ridiculous when the government is saying that the money is available.