A moving tribute to the war dead was banished by a council oaf who claimed it broke health and safety laws.

The bizarre action at a sheltered housing complex has led to a bitter backlash and calls for an official apology.

This week South Ayrshire Council was still not saying sorry - and refusing to say precisely why the tribute by two students was taken down.

Two posters had been displayed on the front window of Bradan Sheltered Housing in Troon.

In an official statement this week the Council said they “do not normally allow” posters on the glass.

Yet their position was undermined by a Google street image from last year which SHOWS posters on the same window.

And furious resident Ian Wilson, who uncovered the gaff, said: “South Ayrshire Council removed it saying there is a health and safety issue with it.

“This strikes me as a bid odd when we always have posters in our windows for Easter, Hallowe’en and Christmas with no such issues.”

Two girls created the montage, featuring the sun going down on Arran, as part of Duke of Edinburgh work.

They’d spent four months helping out at the complex and each created a hand-made tribute.

Bradan Road Sheltered Housing Complex in Troon

Ian said: “What a lovely example the Council is setting to young people, especially in 2018 the Year of Young People.

“I am disgusted at the appalling behaviour of SAC. I intend to ask for an apology on behalf of the girls whose work was so badly disrespected.”

After a barrage of criticism from around the world and a visit to the complex by three mandarins, one of the posters was cut down in size and stuck back up. The other was completely removed.

And Ian added: “There was no consent for cutting the poster and this was no misunderstanding. This was an act of recklessness and nothing more.”

The Council said there was a bigger wartime display inside the unit.

A spokesman said: “Tenants and staff at sheltered housing units across South Ayrshire have been working together to produce displays to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

“These are all on display inside the complexes so that they can be easily viewed and have been warmly received by the majority of people involved.

“Part of the display at Bradan Road in Troon had been placed in the window, something which we do not normally allow, but on this occasion has been reinstated as a gesture of goodwill.”