A MULTI-NATIONAL supermarket firm’s plan to erect a huge advertising hoarding in Thirsk has been rejected by a Government planning inspector.

Lidl appealed over its proposal to build a six metre by three metre structure in the car park of its Station Road store after Hambleton District Council said it would be inappropriate for the area.

The firm said the billboard would display products and services available in the store.

Government inspector Susan Heywood said the hoarding would block views towards the Thirsk Racecourse’s trees and would appear visually intrusive.