An army veteran has criticised a paving firm for erecting illegal posters next to a Second World War memorial – just days after the anniversary of the bomb attack it commemorates.

Fly posters advertising Multi Pave caused offence when they appeared on trees on a North Kingston road, next to a memorial to victims of a German rocket attack in 1945.

The bombing, in Park Road, was the most severe on the royal borough. It killed eight people, injured 117 and destroyed 32 homes.

The poster, which advertises landscaping and gardening work, first appeared last Thursday morning, four days after the 67th anniversary of the attack.

The advert was removed the next day by an “outraged” resident.

Mick Mason, 65, chairman of Kingston Royal British Legion, said he was disgusted to learn the firm had advertised near the memorial and vowed to “keep an eye an out” in case any reappeared.

He said: “It is disgusting that they would put these posters on war memorial.

"They are obviously trying to do a bit of free advertising but if they want to advertise you they should do it on their van or in the local paper. You should pay for it.

"You certainly don’t do it on a war memorial.

"I will drive past there to check if they have gone back up and keep an eye out to see if they reappear.

"They will soon get bored if every time they put them up I take them down."

Multi Pave posters also appeared in Tudor Drive, near the library, and at the Junction of Latchmere Road, both in North Kingston.

Kingston Council said they had taken down all adverts and issued the Long Ditton company a strong warning about fly posting.

Multi Pave said they have agreed not to put up the posters again, but refused to comment on the offence caused.

Kingston Council have asked anyone who spots illegal posters to contact them on 0208 547 5002.