A WOMAN who has raised more than £2,000 for cancer charities is up in arms as banners to advertise her charity events have been taken down.

Claire Whiteley, 47, has been running spiritual and wellness events to raise money for Breast Cancer UK since being diagnosed with the illness in 2017.

Mrs Whiteley, who lives in Halstead, has had 12 banners taken down in Halstead, Earls Colne and Tiptree.

She said: “I’m shocked because other people’s banners are right next to them.

“I wouldn’t dream of taking anyone’s banner down, we even picked one up that had fallen next to ours.”

Mrs Whiteley, who is still being treated for breast cancer, said the banners cost between £15 and £20 each and most of the time she has been unable to get them back.

Proceeds from the events are used to pay for the banners.

“I know there are laws about where you can put them and I did have one lady ring me up and say ‘can I remove the banner?’ and that is fine with me,” she added.

“Every time that happens I do get quite low, I’m not going to lie.

“We’re trying our best, but it is hard. The last event raised about £190, it was so low. I get a bit angry sometimes.

“On one or two occasions we have had banners pulled down and thrown in the hedge.”

The spiritual and wellness events raise funds for cancer charities in Essex as well as Breast Cancer UK.

Mrs Whiteley said she believes some of the other banners may have been removed by representatives of Essex Highways.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “We can’t find any trace of our staff taking these down, certainly not on official duty.

“However, posters or banners cannot legally be placed on Highways land, so no stakes in the verge or banners across trees are allowed without prior permission, which is unlikely to be given.

“They can be removed without notice. However, for charity event advertising for a day or so ahead of the event, we can take a lenient approach.”

“If organisers wish to put banners on private property, then, of course, the owners must give consent.”