Posters instructing women to only walk on one side of the road have been taken down after a wave of public criticism.

The notices, which were put up along streets in Stamford Hill, north London, were written in both English and Yiddish using Hebrew letters.

They read: 'Women should please walk along this side of the road only.'

Posters instructing women to only walk on one side of the road have been taken down after residents complained to the council

The Shomrim Group, a Jewish neighbourhood patrol group which assists the police, said the posters were put up in the street by an orthodox Jewish group for the Torah Procession, which was held last week.

The group said it had since contacted the event organisers to explain that the posters could have offended those who do not understand the Yiddish wording and logo, due to a lack of explanation in English.

Men and women from the religious group who are not married or related are prohibited from touching.

Members of the Jewish neighbourhood watch group and social media users raised concerns that the posters 'lacked explanation' to the wider public.

The posters were removed after outraged residents complained to Hackney Council.

Superintendent Andy Walker, from Hackney Borough, said: 'These signs were erected for the recent Torah parade.

'The intention of the signs was to separate the women from the men for that section of the parade, as is customary.

Members of the Jewish neighbourhood watch group and social media users raised concerns that the posters 'lacked explanation' to the wider public (file picture)

'We have spoken with the organisers about the potential misinterpretation of the signs.

'They have agreed that next year they will only be written in Yiddish and will be removed more swiftly after the event.'

A Hackney Council spokesman said: 'As soon as the signs were brought to the Council's attention they were removed.'