months after they were erected.

And Mr. Marico Thomas, owner of Four Star Pizza, has been told the illegal signs must now come down.

The bemused businessman cannot understand why the signs on his Flatts Village restaurant have suddenly caused a problem.

Mr. Thomas said: "I received a visit from the Planning Department who told me there had been a complaint and it had been found that the signs contravened the planning laws.

"I cannot understand why this was not pointed out when the business was first opened in January. Officers came, just before, to check it out and didn't say anything.

"It must have been seen by everyone on the Island since then but nobody has complained until now.'' Mr. Thomas suspects a rival firm may be jealous of his success in Flatts along with his other outlet in Hamilton.

He went into business in November 1990 and now employs around 70 staff at his restaurants.

Mr. Thomas said: "I have spent $1,000 on the signs because they were meant to last. It will cost me hundreds to take them down and replace them.

"It is not as though they are any different to other signs on businesses all over the Island. I just seem to have been picked out.

"I would much rather spend money on training my staff, but now that money has to be used to take these signs down.'' SIGNS OFF -- Mr. Marico Thomas looks bemused in front of one of the "illegal'' signs at his Flatts restaurant.