A fictional newspaper-style advert encouraging businesses who oppose Brexit to "vote with their feet" has been banned from London Underground stations.

Transport for London (TfL) will not be allowing the Ad Normandy campaign because it breaches its rules on "images or messages which relate to matters of public controversy or sensitivity".

The adverts featured a mock-up of a 'Normandy Times' paper, running a story with the headline: "British business owners can now vote with their feet and leave post-Brexit fears behind."

It adds: "Business friendly French region makes it easy for British businesses to prosper in Europe."

In another advert, it shows a "hot entrepreneurs wanted" in the style of a lonely hearts piece.


Those applying, it says, should have an appetite for "business, coastal walks and sun drenched lunches" but be "allergic to post-Brexit tariffs (and) legislation".

Image: The Normandy Council is 'sorry to hear' the adverts was banned

Herve Morin, who heads the Normandy regional council, said: "The Normandy Council was sorry to hear that Transport for London refused twice to run our media campaign on the grounds that it touched on 'matters of public controversy or sensitivity'.

"We are very keen to get across our invitation to British entrepreneurs who wish to either set up or remain in the eurozone. So we have decided to go ahead with the campaign in the national press."

The company is also pressing ahead with a national bus tour, visiting Cambridge, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and London.

Around 9,000 Britons live in Normandy and 6,300 have second homes in the region.