City streets are cluttered with road signs which are distracting drivers and detracting from the beauty of Norwich, a councillor has claimed.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Norwich City Council last night by David Fairbairn, Liberal Democrat councillor for Lakenham.

Mr Fairbairn said: 'Many of the streets in the city are cluttered with signs concerned with parking, travel directions or traffic conditions ahead.

'They are distracting for drivers and detract from the views of the city, especially in its older parts.'

He asked council leader Steve Morphew if there could be a policy to reduce or limit the number of signs to improve the city's appearance.

Mr Morphew said: 'I would absolutely love to be able to do something more about that as it is one of those things that I find personally extremely irritating.

'However, in current financial circumstances I doubt Mr Fairbairn will argue this will be a priority for council spending or officer resources.'

Mr Morphew said the council had taken some steps to mimimise road clutter, such as reducing them in the Prince of Wales Road safety scheme and the St Georges Street pedestrian priority scheme.