LOVE is not in the air in Dalgety Bay as a Valentine's Day display has caused controversy once again.

The Blooming Lovely social enterprise group placed decorative love hearts next to Asda supermarket for the second year in a row.

Peter Collins, founder of the group, believed the romantic icons were "inoffensive" and were put in place to "make people smile".

The display lasted just two days before Fife Council removed them after a number of complaints were made.

He said: "They were put up to brighten up someone's day and to just give them a wee smile when seeing them.

"That's all we were trying to do.

"Everyone is entitled to an opinion but there was nothing offensive about them at all. The vast majority of people were supportive of it and were pleased to see them.

"We didn't publicise we were doing this again this year, so it seems a little odd to me that Fife Council moved so quickly to take them down while there's other matters like potholes and litter issues to be dealt with, which are more important.

"I want to say that Fife Council are, to a rule, 99.9 per cent supportive of the work we do and the initiatives we have.

"I fully accept Fife Council say that I need permission to do this but I have nothing to gain from this other than, as I said, to make someone smile.

"Someone, somewhere, has taken offence and made a complaint. I would have preferred if they just spoke to us and I would have apologised and said they'll be down in a few days anyway, as that was our intent."

The love hearts were put in place on Monday, February 11, before being removed by council staff less than 48 hours later.

John O'Neil, Fife Council parks, streets and open spaces team manager, said: "Parks staff working in the area removed the display as it was in a space that is being cultivated as a wildflower area for spring.

"I'm keen to stress that, overall, we're supportive of the group's initiatives and I would like to chat with them about how we put their good ideas about enhancing the area into practice.

"We just need to make sure that this is done in a way that doesn't affect the council's maintenance work, especially in the growing season, and that where required, permissions are granted."

While the local authority didn't remove the display last year, it did cause controversy among local residents.

Inverkeithing & Dalgety Bay councillor Alice McGarry told the Press 12 months ago that permission ought to have been sought, and reaffirmed her stance this week.

She said: "Fife Council removed them after a number of complaints were made.

"People can't just do what they please. While the land isn't technically the council's, they do maintain the land which covers the area. I believe it's a wildflower area and this is the time for planting them. The council are trying to do their job and in cases like this, permission should have been asked for."