A PRANKSTER has put up signs on walls across Nottingham telling people they can publicly urinate in the street after 7.30pm.

The signs, which show a male toilet logo, have an accompanying letter headed with the Nottingham City Council emblem, claiming the measures have been brought in over the holiday period to "address the growing problem of householders having to clean up after late night revellers."

They have appeared in the city centre, including at the back of the Royal Concert Centre, and at the bottom of Exchange Walk, as well as Radford, West Bridgford and Arnold.

Stunned Radford resident Jake Higgs took photos which clearly show the public have taken them as legitimate signs.

"There are quite a lot of them. I thought it could be genuine when I first saw them," said Mr Higgs, 29.

"I took a closer look and there was a laminated letter attached in the same style as when the council notifies the public about planning permission.

"I read that and it made it out that it was a trial scheme.

"I think it was someone having a Christmas joke."

Mr Higgs said he fully realised the signs were a hoax when he saw them in West Bridgford and Arnold, which are outside the city council area.

"I rang the city council and I was put through to about five different people and they had no knowledge of it," he said.

"I think it is quite funny to be honest. It has not offended me. I think it's definitely a Christmas prank."

Nottingham City Council confirmed the signs were put up illegally.

A spokeswoman said: "It is an offence to urinate in public and these signs have been put up illegally, for whatever reason.

"We would urge people to ignore them, otherwise they could find themselves inadvertently facing a prosecution.

"We are taking the signs down as quickly as possible and if anyone spots on of the illegal signs we ask them to please contact the city council on 0115 9152000 so they can be removed."

The letter, which is headed with Nottingham City Council's logo and its motto "Safer, cleaner ambitious Nottingham, A city we are all proud of," dated December 20, says:

"In an attempt to reduce late night public nuisance during the holiday period, Nottingham City Council has designated several public urination areas across the city.

"These have been allocated to address the growing problem of householders having to clean up after late night revellers have used their front doors and walls for the purpose of urinating.

"Nottingham City Council wishes to remind users that it is a criminal offense (sic) to urinate at this site before the hours of 7.30pm. Any persons doing so will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

"This urination area will be cleaned between the hours of 5 and 6am.

"To report the improper use of this facility or if you have any other enquiries please contact Nottingham City Council on 0115 915 5555."