The toilet block at Sheringham where campaigners wanted to hang an anti-angling banner.

An animal rights campaign group has been refused permission to a put a banner on Sheringham’s for-sale seafront toilet block.

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wanted to pay rent to hang up a slogan saying “What’s the Pong? Fishing stinks. Go Vegan”.

They aimed to put it on the disused east promenade block which North Norfolk District Council is planning to sell, with a view to using the proceeds to build a new set of public toilets nearby.

But the move has received short shrift from the council, which said in a statement: “North Norfolk District Council does not allow bills to be posted on its buildings whether redundant or not. Nor does it sell advertising space on its building, and therefore it cannot consider the proposal.”

PETA special projects co-ordinator Abi Izzard had written to Peter Moore the cabinet member for resources saying the proposal “could help your efforts to sell the derelict public lavatories.”

The letter said “to you the seaside facilities are disused outhouses. To us they are prime advertising space.”

It would be a “win-win” situation providing the council, which was “not not flush with funds” a rental fee, while reminding people that “angling causes fish to suffer.”

She said the message would highlight “the terrible realities of the blood sport” backed up by scientific evidence that fish felt pain and had long-term memories.

The 100-year-old toilet block hit the headlines recently because the council suggested it could be converted to a holiday home with stunning sea views, because it unsuitable for disabled access and uneconomic to improve.

It is hoped to use the sale money to build a new block with urinals, unisex cubicles, baby changing, shower and drinking fountain to replace temporary toilets placed on the prom in the summer months.