A sign protesting about a pollution incident on the North York Moors has been destroyed.

The sign was erected by Carlton Bank Stud owners Ken and Heather Saddington, spelling out their frustration at finding themselves still waiting for compensation, 30 months after being hit by a spill of 1,500 gallons of diesel.

Engineering firm HJ Banks, of West Cornforth, County Durham, has admitted to the spill, but claims to be waiting to receive a "sensible, reasonable and factual claim" for compensation from the couple.

The Saddingtons called in the police yesterday after waking up to find the sign - erected on their land, which is above Carlton-in-Cleveland, smashed on the ground and walked on.

Sometime during Sunday night, the couple received an abusive telephone call indicating that the sign would be forcibly removed.

Ever since the spill, the Saddingtons have watered their horses and farm from pipes hooked up to the mains supply.

Seven horses have been contaminated by diesel still to be found in sediment on the bed of a stream running through the stud farm.

They include Belinda, a pregnant champion Hanoverian mare which has dermatitis.

The Saddingtons say in the last line of their protest sign that they have been informed that Banks will not get another contract in the North York Moors National Park, where the spill occurred.

North York Moors National Park bosses have told HJ Banks the Saddington's situation is "intolerable''.

Mark Dowdall, environment manager with HJ Banks told The Northern Echo last week: "We would be prepared to settle, provided they submit a sensible, reasonable, factual claim.