But the conservative party which runs the council opted to allow more billboards. Critics say they may have been influenced by sizeable contributions to the party from billionaire Jimmy Pattison, who controls most of the city's billboards.

The result is that the city's world-renowned views are often hidden behind huge advertisements for cars, mobile phones and clothes.

'People see them as visual pollution,' said one irate resident. 'And what this is, really, is private gain that translates into public loss.' Another said: 'We don't think Jimmy Pattison should be deciding what our neighbourhoods should look like.' The size of the billboards is one issue; the number is another. There are now more than 800 in the city.

But the backlash is starting to take effect. A gas station recently cancelled plans to put up a mechanical billboard after local residents complained. It would have flashed its messages just 1.2 metres from a woman's bedroom window.

Residents have also taken offence at the content of ads.

City buses this week dropped controversial displays from the French Connection UK fashion company. Drivers complained that the ads, promoting the line of clothing known by the initials 'fcuk', were offensive.

Since appearing in 1997, the British-designed campaign has brought the company global attention and increased sales.

The Canadian manager of French Connection UK Elizabeth Hardy was angry that complaints from a few bus drivers could lead to the ads being pulled.

'In Vancouver I've had nobody [complain],' she said.

'In Oakridge mall, which is a really conservative mall, I had a big fcuk sign with French Connection running through it on the hoarding before the store opened. It was huge. Not a peep. No one even said a word. Hundreds of women walked by it every single day, and no one said anything.'