Warminster glove-maker Dents and other companies on Crusader Park are up in arms after their advertising signs were removed without warning by Wiltshire Council.

The council’s highways department removed all the signs from the grass verge along Bath Road last Friday without contacting any of the businesses, and several owners believed they had been stolen.

Dents, in Furnax Lane, realised what had happened only when a coach party it was expecting phoned to say they could not find the firm’s factory shop.

Other businesses affected include Howdens Joinery and J&G Vehicle Repairs. The council has since told the companies that they need to visit its offices in Wilton to collect the signs.

John Roberts, of Dents, said: “We discovered what we first thought was theft mid-afternoon on Friday when a coach party we were expecting for one of our regular tours phoned to say they could not see a sign directing them to our factory shop.

“Several businesses in Crusader Park have small signs on the grass verge in Bath Road informing people where we are, but Wiltshire Council says they are a visual distraction.

“They think the signs could cause an accident, which is laughable as they have been there for years without any problem. The worst thing is they didn’t even bother telling any of us beforehand; they just did as they pleased.

“When I phoned them I asked why the council did not have the courtesy to email or contact the businesses before acting. We don’t live in Russia and we all pay our business rates.”

When Mr Roberts first contacted the council he was told the sign would probably be destroyed, but then he was told he would have to collect it from offices in Wilton.

According to Mr Roberts, the same thing happened two years ago. He rang then to say the company was treating it as theft and the council returned the sign within the hour.

He said: “I told them that they took the sign even though it wasn’t their property, so they should return it, but they refused.

“It is absolutely crazy. It is difficult enough keeping a business profitable these days, particularly with high business rates, without the council making matters worse.”

Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We work to help promote local businesses. However, placing a boards on paths can cause an obstruction for people with pushchairs or for wheelchair users or be a trip hazard, especially for people with impaired vision.”