THE proliferation of advertising signs and posters could jeopardise plans for Letterkenny to take part in the first ever All Ireland Tidy Towns competition it has emerged.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Jim McCormick, Chairman of the local Tidy Towns committee, said they were honoured to have been invited to take part. However, unless the use of election posters and advertising signs from pubs, clubs, business and festivals are standardised he believed the town's performance will be seriously undermined.

In the All Ireland Best Kept Towns Competition 2007 Letterkenny would be competing with Derry City, Dundalk, Birdhill, Dungarvan, Killarney, Kilrush, Leighlinbridge, Tallanstown, Broughshane, Moira, Scarva and Warrenpoint. The adjudication is in May while the judges for the Tidy Town Competition 2007 will be out in June, July and August.

"Should we accept the invitation to participate in this competition? Would the town be planted out and ready for adjudication in May? Would it be possible to use dedicated areas on sides of roundabouts and other areas for election posters? Tidiness is a major problem.

"Unless we standardise, the use of election posters, advertising signs from pubs, clubs, business and festivals will proliferate and ruin our chances for success.

"The benefits of a clean and tidy town enhances our reputation promoting tourism, industry and job creation creating a 'feel good' factor in the community," Mr McCormick said.

"I'm frustrated. We have to give them an answer within the next week. I would like us to take part but will we be able to give it our best shot? I'm not so sure," he added.

The local Tidy Towns committee have put in place at 'Action Plan' to remove clutter of unauthorised signs throughout the town and upgrade road surfaces.

"We'll be ready for the national Tidy Towns. As for this other competition I'm not so sure which would be a pity," he said.