BBC News
By Simon Dedman
image captionSome of the banners in Stanway which were removed by Essex highway were on homeowners fences
A Tory-run council has apologised after election banners supporting local Liberal Democrat candidates were removed by its highways staff.
The removal of posters happened in Stanway, near Colchester in Essex, ahead of county council and district council elections on 6 May.
One homeowner said part of her fence was pulled away as the banner was taken down by Essex County Council workers.
The authority said its staff were "acting with the best of intentions".
The banners and posters were in support of county council candidate Lesley Scott-Boutell and Colchester Borough Council candidate Paul Williams.