Scores of posters advertising a circus visit to Worthing have been torn down after a threat of legal action.

Employees of the Moscow State Circus were given 48 hours to remove the fliers, which were put up on railings and fences, with dozens stapled to the hoardings around the site of the former Warnes Hotel in Steyne Gardens.

One poster was even stuck at roof level on an end-of-terrace house in North Street by somebody who climbed up scaffolding, while another was pasted to a hoarding protecting the war memorial next to St Paul's Church in Chapel Road.

The Moscow State Circus, featuring trapeze artists and acrobats, is setting up its big top in Homefield Park, Worthing, from Tuesday to August 17.

But Worthing's most senior councillor has spoken of his dismay over efforts to promote the event, which he says defaced the town.

Councillor Brian McLuskie said the borough council had in the past successfully prosecuted people who put them up without permission.

Coun McLuskie said: "I have always been opposed to commercial graffiti and I shall be having words with our planning department about this.

"It is as bad as spray graffiti because sometimes it can remain for years. In this town we don't like this sort of thing. It is not only irresponsible but illegal as well."

He suggested entertainment organisations which defaced Worthing in this way should not be invited back.

Coun McLuskie's Lib Dem colleagues came to power on a "cleaner and safer Worthing" ticket and have since spent thousands of pounds on removing graffiti and fly posters from numerous sites.

Paul Archer, spokesman for the Moscow State Circus, said he was surprised to hear that scores of posters had been stapled or fixed around the town.

He said he was disappointed Coun McLuskie had spoken to the media before talking to the circus but could not comment further as he had not seen the posters.

On Monday and Tuesday the posters were taken down after the council threatened to prosecute if they were not removed within 48 hours.

James Appleton, assistant director of planning services, said several night club operators had been taken to court and fined recently for putting up posters.