Hull's university has been left red-faced after a Yorkshire council said it may take legal action over its latest advertisement campaign.

Pictures showing University of Hull banners and chalk stencils across Bradford were blasted by the West Yorkshire city's council, who said it showed "disrespect" to their public spaces and city centre buildings.

The University said the 'tagging' was part of its marketing campaign on A-level results day, with the "Clearing at Hull: Less setback, more comeback" posted onto at least a dozen buildings.

But Bradford City Council threatened to prosecute the university, with bosses at the local authority claiming the act, which happened on Thursday morning, was illegal.

On Friday, the university told Hull Live that the Banksy-esque stencils were created from chalk and will wash straight off with the rain.

A University of Hull spokesman said: "Like many other universities, the University of Hull undertakes a recruitment campaign on A-level results day to provide opportunities and support for those who find themselves without a university place today.

"We already have many students from the Bradford area who choose to study here.

"We are aware that a number of people have expressed concerns about signs placed in certain locations in Bradford.

"We take these concerns seriously and have been working with Bradford Metropolitan District Council on Thursday to understand and address these specific concerns as a priority.

"The University of Hull has carried out marketing activities in various cities, of which stencilling is one. Plans were in place to remove all signage by the end of today at our expense.

The University of Hull offers a range of scholarships
The University of Hull offers a range of scholarships

"We are working with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and will of course comply with any specific instructions."

Bradford council labelled the act as graffiti and said they are thinking about fining the university for targeting its buildings.

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “We have spoken to the people who carried this out and explained that spraying graffiti on buildings, including a listed building, and placing banners in the city centre is illegal.

“Cleaning the graffiti off has tied up limited council resources which would be much better employed in other areas, and this behaviour shows disrespect for our public spaces which we take pride in keeping free of graffiti and fly-posting.

“Depending on how the University responds we will either take those responsible to court or issue a fine of £75 for each sign, plus the cost of cleaning up.

“Bradford is the youngest city in the UK which is why it is seen as an attractive recruiting area for other universities and colleges, but this is definitely not the way to go about it.”

WATCH: University Clearing

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Follow all the latest news by Tom Kershaw

Tom Kershaw is a senior reporter for Hull Live and the Hull Daily Mail. He is currently covering breaking news in Hull and East Yorkshire.

You can follow all the latest stories on his Facebook page here, his Twitter page here or on the Hull Live website here.

You can also call him on 01482 315266, or email him: thomas.kershaw@reachplc.com.

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