HAMPSHIRE County Council is relaxing the rules so communities can put up celebratory roadside banners and signs for the forthcoming diamond jubilee and Olympics.

The council received requests from town and parish councils who want to erect temporary banners and signs on the public highway, so a new temporary policy has been put in place, allowing them up to two weeks before the event. They must be taken down within seven days of the event.

Mel Kendal, the member for environment and transport, said he wants to strike the right balance between public safety and people being able to enjoy the local celebrations.

He said: "We want to support local celebrations, but in doing so we do have a duty to ensure public safety. "The county council does not allow such signs, but for the diamond jubilee and Olympics, we are prepared to relax the rules."

Each request for signs, banners or bunting on the road side or a roundabout, will be assessed for their impact on motorists and pedestrians, road users' visibility and size.