THE puzzle of the missing pub boards has been partially solved after highways chiefs admitted swiping some.

But the mystery has deepened with the two parties at loggerheads over just how many of the advertising blackboards have been taken.

Landlord Ray Cox, of the Angel in Severn Side, Stourport, says he has lost 200 from an island at the corner of Lion Hill and York Street over the past two-and-a-half years.

Now Wyre Forest Highways Partnership Unit boss Stuart Reynolds said his staff have removed about four of the "illegal" signs because they distract motorists

"It's not highly dangerous but it's not an advisable place to put boards. They're distracting the driver and it's on the corner of a busy area," he said.

Mr Reynolds added the publican would have been notified but Mr Cox said he had received no letters and argued it was "nonsense" the boards were unsafe.

"I don't see how they can be dangerous unless they jumped out at drivers and bit them," said Mr Cox.

Until the "boards walk" story first appeared in the Shuttle/Times & News last month the signs had been disappearing at a rate of about two a week but the removals - above board or not - have since stopped.

But Mr Reynolds denied he had had a change of heart and pledged to keep removing the offending signs.

He added Mr Cox could not have put out 200 boards or he would have removed more.