A SEX shop owner has confirmed he is prepared to continue his battle with the authorities over his uncon- ventional advertising.

A caravan, emblazoned with a Pleasure Zone advertisement and phone number, has been parked on wasteland on the edge of the A1 in North Yorkshire for more than a month.

And, although it has proved a talking point in the villages west of Thirsk, some have dubbed it an eyesore and a potential danger to passing motorists.

Councillor Audrey Skipsey, of Hambleton District Council, said drivers could be distracted while reading foot-high letters advertising massage services.

Last month, she asked the authority's planning department to investigate what could be done to have the caravan removed.

But although officers have contacted the owner, he has refused to cooperate, insisting he is within his rights.

Council spokeswoman Sue Dodson said: "We have warned the owner he needs advertisement consent but he has been in touch to say he has no intention of moving the caravan.

"The council is now considering prosecution proceedings to seek its removal."

Pleasurezone boss John Middleton, from Darlington, is adamant he is within his rights.

He said: "The 1992 Town and Country Planning Act allows advertising on vehicles as long as it is not what they are usually used for.

"What I'm doing is similar to everyone else, including the farmers, who have put advertisements on trailers or vans next to the road. I would be breaking the rules if I put posts in the ground and put up a sign, but the caravan is a vehicle."

Mr Middleton also dismissed the argument that the caravan was putting drivers at risk.

He said "The same could be said of any other type of advertising - say a billboard with a pair of legs in stockings. It's the same thing."

Mr Middleton was in dispute with the council before the latest row began. He owns the land where the caravan has been parked and hoped to build a pub on the site.

His application was refused, but yesterday he confirmed he was considering an appeal.