Now that IS product placement! Billboard for zombie show The Walking Dead posted on side of a FUNERAL PARLOUR

An advertising firm has been blasted after a billboard for The Walking Dead was put on the wall of a funeral parlour in Consett, County Durham.

An apology has been issued after the ad for The Walking Dead appeared on the side of The Co-operative Funeralcare.



Susan Jones, from the Willow Burn Hospice, in nearby Lanchester, said that while some people may see the funny side, others would not.

Tasteless: A billboard advertising U.S. TV drama, The Walking Dead, pasted on the side of a funeral parlour in Consett, County Durham.

She said: 'There must be somewhere else they could put it that would have shown a degree of insight and sensitivity.'



Mrs Jones said grieving families could be upset by seeing the advert for the Channel 5 drama, starring British actor Andrew Lincoln, which features hordes of zombies chasing a group of survivors.



She said: 'Emotions can be pretty raw when people are recently bereaved. Words like 'death' and 'dead' can be very difficult.

Insensitive: A poster advertising TV series The Walking Dead was put on the outside wall of a funeral parlour 'If you encounter this just as you are going to the funeral service to make arrangements for a loved one, it could be upsetting. 'People of a certain age group could find it particularly challenging.'

Web designer Greg Coltman, 35, who is from the area, said: 'At first I thought it was quite funny, but when I thought about it I realised some people could take offence.'

Councillor Owen Temple, who represents the Consett area on Durham County Council, said he was aware of the billboard, but had not received any complaints. He said: 'Some will be amused, but others may be offended. It left me unmoved.'

Zombies: British actor Andrew Lincoln, pictured, stars in The Walking Dead

A spokesman for the Co-operative Funeralcare said its premises in Consett were leased.

He said: 'It is disappointing that we were not consulted as this advert could cause unnecessary distress.



'When the billboard site was erected, we were assured that no insensitive adverts would be featured.'

The company responsible, Clear Channel, has agreed the advert is inappropriate and an alternative has since been pasted in its place.

