Eye-catching posters put up by climate activists have been taken down after popping up around the city in recent days.

Adverts for 4x4s in bus stops were replaced with parody posters in protest against "fossil fuel cars" by local members of Brandalism.

Altered posters appeared in Unthank Road, Bowthorpe Road, St Stephens Road, Sprowston Road, Magdalen Street and St Augustine's Gate.

They specifically targeted BMW and Toyota posters, accusing the motoring giants of anti-climate lobbying and misleading advertising.

Norwich Evening News:

Posters for Toyota's Land Cruiser altered its name to "Land Crusher" and a BMW advert was given the slogan "when we test our emissions, the test dummy is you".

Protesters are hoping to encourage governments to ban adverts for "highly polluting" cars.

Norwich Evening News:

It comes after Norwich City Council voted to explore limiting advertising for gambling, junk food and environmentally damaging products in June 2021.

An activist, who asked not to be named, said: "Norfolk is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, yet BMW and Toyota have been lobbying against the phase-out of fossil fuel cars we so desperately need.

Norwich Evening News:

“As a resident, I want clean air, efficient public transport and walkable streets not full of cars."

It was supported by campaigners at Adblock Norwich, who aim to free the city of outdoor corporate advertising.

Norwich Evening News:

Matt White from the group said: "We were really pleased to see Norwich citizens got involved in this Europe-wide action, highlighting the misleading advertising and anti-climate policy lobbying of two of the biggest car companies.

"We want to see tighter regulations on advertising nationally - but are also looking forward to Norwich City Council implementing its bold ethical advertising policy.

"Voted for in June 2021, it should see restrictions on the advertising of some of the most socially and environmentally damaging products, like SUVs."

Norwich Evening News:

Some of the posters have now been removed, with the one in St Stephens Street replaced with an advert for student accommodation.

A spokeswoman for the city council said: “The posters are being removed by the company which manages the bus shelters on behalf of the city council.”

Norwich Evening News:

In response, BMW has said the company was "firmly committed" to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

A spokesman added the company was "one of the first automotive brands to bring an electric vehicle to market in 2013".

Toyota is yet to respond to the posters.