The council have removed a series of comedy plaques put on street benches (Picture: WNS)

Council officials have removed a series of comedy plaques put on street benches.

Although the little signs were created to bring a smile to shopper’s faces, the council aren’t amused.

The plaques were put up in protest to Cheshire West and Chester City council’s plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order, to address antisocial behaviour issues in the local area.

One of them reads: ‘If you shut your eyes for more than ten seconds whilst on this bench, you may be deemed asleep, and risk facing an ASBO. By Order of Public Space Protection Orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.’




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The plaques have been removed in case they offend (Picture: WNS)

Another reads: ‘This bench is reserved for the young, beautiful and affluent. If you are old, ugly or poor please sit elsewhere.’

A slightly more light-hearted offering says: ‘This bench is dedicated to the men who lost the will to live whilst following their partners around the shoe shops of Chester.’

The street artists behind the signs believe a PSPO could ‘be used to target the homeless and socially vulnerable’.

Council officials have now removed the plaques (Picture: WNS)

But council officials removed the five plaques – after saying people could be ‘offended’ by them.

Maria Byrne, head of place operations for Cheshire West and Chester Council, confirmed the removal of the plaques to local paper the Chester Chronicle.

‘We have removed the plaques from five benches and although they may appear humorous, some people may find them offensive.

‘It has cost the Council taxpayer money for officers to locate and remove them.

‘If anyone knows who is responsible we would like to hear from them.’

‘An art installation’ (Picture: WNS)

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