ANYONE who has travelled through Hammersmith along the A4 recently cannot have failed to notice the giant advertisement towers which have appeared on either side of the road.

The super-bright displays, strategically positioned for maximum impact on drivers approaching from either side, are one of the flagship projects of ad specialists Ocean Outdoor, which describes them as a 'new landmark'.

For people whose windows face directly on to the displays, other descriptions probably spring more readily to mind.

Some have been having sleepless nights since the displays went up in December, bringing a kind of urban version of the northern lights to the centre of Hammersmith.

Our council should not be criticised for looking to find creative ways of bringing in new revenue without adding to the monetary woes of residents, especially in a time of financial constraint, but the two towers may be a step too far for those forced to live with them 24 hours a day.

And when neighbouring St Paul's Church is refused a smaller display on the grounds that it will ruin views of its own listed building, the council's approach looks like nothing other than hypocrisy.