Shaming ploy curbs flyposting

A campaign to rid the West End of flyposters by naming and shaming some of Britain's biggest record label bosses has cut the illegal activity by 60 per cent.

Westminster council says unlawful advertising on shop hoardings and billboards has been slashed in the 12 months since it began highlighting those responsible.

A list of the 12 worst offenders was posted on a website last June and chief executives were warned they could face criminal prosecution if the flyposting did not stop.

The record labels and publishers targeted included BMG UK & Ireland, whose artists include Dido, Pink and Avril Lavigne.

Concert promoters Mean Fiddler, MTV and Warner Music UK, whose artists include Beyoncé¬ George Michael and Charlotte Church, were also named.

A council spokesman said: "We seem to have kicked flyposting into touch." Westminster had spent ?240,000 removing posters.

Neighbouring Camden served an anti- social behaviour order on the managing director of Diabolical Liberties. Timothy Horrox was banned from arranging flyposting in Camden for two years in March.