VILLAGERS in Thormanby are to put their demands for a bypass to county council highways chiefs on Friday.

The residents hit the headlines when they put up a controversial "coffin" warning sign on a section of the A19 north of Easingwold, warning motorists about the so-called "Death Hill".

Barry Dodd, chairman of the village's parish assembly, said they had no intention of taking it down and had arranged to meet county council bosses on Friday. He said villagers wanted the council to bid for money for a bypass.

Hambleton District Councillors called for the sign to be taken down last week because it was illegal and villagers were understood to be making a decision whether to leave the sign up this weekend, according to Hambleton district councillor Peter Sowray. But it has now emerged that they are determined to keep the sign on show.

"We haven't even had a letter from Hambleton planning department telling us to take it down and nothing telling us we are to be prosecuted," said Mr Dodd.

"They proposed a resolution after last week's planning meeting but we haven't had a letter.

"We intend to retain the sign. It's amazing that since the sign has been there, there hasn't been an accident in the village which is unprecedented.

"The hill is so high that it is actually a blind summit. People in the village are adamant that they need something there to protect us."

He said the villagers had written to Lord Whitty, roads minister, and he had told them that there was money available from the Government for such schemes as the bypass and councils had to bid for it.

"We are looking to our council to bid for the money to get a bypass as soon as possible for us."

Updated: 09:53 Saturday, April 28, 2001