The ban on estate agent boards could be extended to other areas of the borough.

Following complaints from residents about the visual eyesore of the boards, Hammersmith and Fulham Council bosses imposed a blanket ban on displaying the advertisements in the Barons Court and Sinclair Road/Gardens conservation areas in 2006.

According to the council, the scheme has proved so successful that it is now considering extending the blanket ban to other areas of the borough.

Meanwhile, the council is also coming down hard on illegal advertising outside the existing banned areas.

In the past six months, more than 400 "sold" and "let by" signs have been removed across the borough.

According to advertising laws, boards can only be displayed where a property is for sale or for rent, and must then be removed within 14 days of the house or flat being sold or let.

The four potential new zones where displaying boards would be illegal are Avonmore Road and Harwood Road and the conservation areas of Hammersmith Grove and Gunter Estate.

Other problem areas could also be added to the new exclusion zone.

Any new designated areas would first have to be approved by the secretary of state for communities and local government and the proposals would need the backing of residents.

The proposed scheme was discussed at the council's local neighbourhood scrutiny committee on September 8.

Chairwoman Caroline Ffiske told h&f news: "There have been longstanding problems with unsightly 'for sale' boards in certain areas of the borough.

"Residents and even estate agents themselves have been supportive of the exclusion zones, but the possibility of extending these areas will no doubt create an interesting discussion."

A consultation with residents is expected to be launched at the end of October and a decision on whether to apply to the secretary of state for permission to extend the ban is expected to be made before the end of the year.