MELKSHAM policeman Mark Wallace is mounting a one-man campaign to rid the town of the flyposting he says is giving it a lawless image.

PC Wallace says the problem has been getting steadily worse in recent months with the town's entrance routes receiving an almost daily covering of fluorescent posters.

Traffic lights and telephone junction boxes have been particular targets for the illegal postings, which mostly promote club nights in places like Bristol and Bath.

He says it is time to get tough on the culprits and is calling on residents to help him in his battle. So far three people have received warnings about flyposting and a fourth is being prosecuted for related offences.

PC Wallace has a zero tolerance message for those who have been plastering Melksham.

He said: "Anybody who is found in possession of these items will be questioned about where they got them from. If they come from club promoters we'll be looking at prosecuting them as well.

"At the moment the offenders are local people. It is often students trying to earn a bit of extra money.

"It looks bad for the people coming into the town and it looks like there's an amount of lawlessness about the place. We want to stop people using Melksham as an advertising hoarding."

PC Wallace is building up a collection of the offending posters as evidence. In some cases he has caught people ripping down rival postings to put up their own.

He said: "I would like members of the public who see this happening to let us know straightaway and note down the registrations of any vehicles involved. If you report it we'll look at it and deal with it.

"The vast majority of the public don't want to see bright green and orange posters festooning traffic lights and junction boxes. We want to make the town a pleasant environment for people to live in."

As well as being illegal flyposting can also endanger public safety, which is another reason for PC Wallace's tough approach.

He said: "I've no problem with people advertising their business as long as it's done through official channels and is not putting people at risk.

"But if the posters backed on cardboard come free they could cause an accident as drivers' views are blocked."

To report a flyposting incident call Melksham police on (01225) 703444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.