A GIANT sign at Chester's former police HQ flagging up its futuristic replacement was today due to be removed after developers were told it was illegal.

Chester City Council threatened to take legal action against Liberty Properties because the company did not obtain advertisement consent for the banner, which appeared on May 7.

The sign advertises the HQ development which will replace the police building.

It will include 35 penthouses selling for up to £1m, an 80-room luxury hotel, restaurants, bars, offices and a public piazza.

City centre councillor Gwyn Cooper this week told an area committee meeting the sign - in a conservation area - was the biggest she had ever sign.

'It's a bit of a cheek for them to put this up without consent,' she said.

'I think they were looking to capitalise on Chester Races which meant TV cameras were at The Roodee.

'My understanding is that legal action will be taken if the sign has not been removed by the end of the week.'

Council development co-ordination manager Brian Hughes said Liberty was now seeking permission to erect three-metre high hoardings, which would advertise the project while also securing the site ahead of demolition.

A spokeswoman for Liberty said there had been a delay in removing the sign for safety reasons because of asbestos removal work in the building.

She said the work has now finished and the building was last night to be given a clean bill of health by safety inspectors.

'If this is the case, our contractors will be on site on Friday to remove the sign,' she said. rob.devey@cheshirenews.co.uk