The mystery of “stolen” road signs advertising a flower festival near Wolverhampton was solved today – as council bosses admitted they had taken them down.

Villagers were mystified after five signs for the annual Worfield Flower Festival vanished from roadsides – mainly on the A454. Thieves were at first being blamed but after the mystery had been reported in the Express & Star, organisers were tipped off that officials may be to blame.

Organiser Maureen Turner had a number of phone calls telling her that signs advertising another flower festival in Bridgnorth had gone missing.

She contacted Shropshire Council, which said it had the signs. She has recovered them, and it is thought no further action will be taken.

Mrs Turner said today: “It’s the law apparently.

“I didn’t know that and how were we supposed to know that?

“I think it was a bit heavy-handed.

“They could have phoned us to tell us.”

She said officials asked her to get in touch with her ahead of next year’s festival so that suitable locations for the signs could be found.

Shropshire County Council spokesman Jennifer Fullard said: “Our environmental maintenance teams have a duty to monitor and remove any instances of fly-posting in the county to protect and improve Shropshire’s environment.

“The council monitors how many signs are permitted on the highway to ensure that they do not distract motorists and present a hazard.

“We are more than happy to discuss any concerns the organisers may have and we encourage them to contact us.”

The event runs from Saturday to Monday at Peter’s Church, Worfield. It is now in its 45th year and will feature attractions including bric-a-brac, books, cakes, plants and tombola.

The festival attracts hundreds of people each year and all proceeds go to St Peter’s.

More information on the event is available from Maureen Turner by telephoning 01746 716665.