A group of amateur musicians trying to raise money for a theatre group near Norwich have hit out at people who have been ripping posters about performances and societies in the village down, saying they are jeopardising the future of the events.

A group of amateur musicians trying to raise money for a theatre group near Norwich have hit out at people who have been ripping posters about performances and societies in the village down, saying they are jeopardising the future of the events.

Shane Brown, Netty White and Rob Brown, had planned to perform a concert of music from the 1950s to the present day called Memories and Mistletoe in Brundall at the weekend, but as soon as they put them up on telegraphs poles, they are taken down.

Mr Brown, 35, said: “Last week, the posters for our concert, which is to raise funds for the theatre group Theatre in Brundall were put up around the village, only to removed just a couple of days later. Although we shall obviously endeavour to replace these posters, time is not on our side.

“Over the last few years, many events in Brundall have been jeopardised due to an individual, or individuals, taking it upon themselves to rip down posters for the many performances, societies and activities that take place in our village - despite the fact that we have verified in the past with Broadland District Council that we and others are allowed to advertise in this way as long as it is only for two weeks before the event and we take them down one week after.

“This action has had a serious adverse effect on attendance at events, so much so that concern is being raised that a number of events in the village are becoming no longer viable, which is a pity as the village hall should be the centre of the community.

“It is mainly the posters in the Cucumber Lane end of the village, and we don't think it's being done by children as the posters are not left lying around but are taken away.”

Broadland District Council said it follows the guidelines set out in the government's booklet Communities and Local Government Outdoor Advertisements and Signs - A Guide For Advertisers, which states: “Class 3(D) permits temporary notices or signs which are intended to advertise any local event being held for charitable purposes, which may be religious, educational, cultural, political, social or recreational, but not for any commercial purpose.

“This permission would include an advertisement for a church bazaar, a fete for a parent-teacher association, a sponsored marathon in aid of charity, an amateur sports event, but not any sporting event organised for commercial purposes. The advertisement permitted by Class 3(D) must not exceed 0.6 of a square metre.”

The three-hour show will be performed at the Memorial Hall on Saturday, December 5 at 7.30pm, and there will be a fully licensed bar.

Tickets cost �5, or �4 for concessions, and are available from Brundall Pet and Hardware.