A Shropshire pensioner was today embroiled in a row with a council over an illegal DIY traffic sign he put up to protect schoolchildren from speeding drivers.
Tom Williams has refused to take down the makeshift 20mph sign in Southfield, Sutton Hill, until council bosses put up a replacement warning motorists there is a school nearby.
But council bosses have now served a notice on the 76-year-old ordering him to remove the unauthorised sign.
And he has been warned that if he fails to do so then the borough could remove it - and bill him.
The former display artist, who spent just £5 on painting the sign, has accused the council of wasting taxpayers money through taking action against him.
He has been given until November 25 to take down the 20mph sign he put up near the Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School.
The sign says School 20 Twenty’s Plenty.
The grandfather-of-10 said: “The sign is slowing traffic down and protecting the children. Why they want to take it down and put the children in danger again, I don’t know.
“Why don’t they put their efforts into protecting the children instead of attacking me?”
Mr Williams, who has lived in Southfield with wife, Peggy, for about 25 years, added: “I am prepared to take my artwork down without any cost to the ratepayers of Telford as soon as the council erect a road sign stating there is a school and also a speed limit to protect the children.”
In a letter to the council he said: “The residents would like to know if the council has any plans to erect a sign to protect the children. Please let us know. You have never said whether you do or do not intend to erect a sign.
“My artwork does not direct road users, it advises them. It is an advisory notice that protects school children.”
Mr Williams said the road had been the site of several accidents in recent years and drivers sped past despite cars being parked on both sides of the street.
The borough council has said the sign was illegal and would have to be removed and Mr Williams should take his concerns directly to officers.
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