Police came to the rescue this week after fears a sign hanging loose from a building on one of Marlow’s busiest streets could fall and injure someone.

A metal and wooden sign above the former Living in Store shop in West Street hung precariously for days over the pavement frequently used by shoppers, residents and Sir William Borlase’s pupils, according to reisdents.

A worried resident sent an urgent request to the council and flagged down a police car to warn of what he called “imminent danger”.

Despite falling outside their jurisdiction, police officers from Marlow climbed a ladder and carried out a short term fix to stop the sign from falling.

Sergeant Robin Hughes, who responded with PCSO Steve Watkins, said: “There were so many emails about it that I decided to get a couple of bolts and go up and fix it.

“I can’t stand bureaucracy, it needed sorting out as it was hanging loose and dangerous and no one seemed to be taking responsibility.

“We have had some very strong winds and it looks like it sheared a couple of the bolts off. It was just easier to go and get it sorted until the landlord can do something more permanent.”

A reader, who did not want to be named, grew increasingly concerned about the danger posed by the loose metal after first spotting the problem on Saturday.

He said: “I noticed that the sign for the shop hanging from approximately the first floor of that building was damaged and hanging from one screw instead of two and the sign was also hanging at an angle.

“The sign hangs over a road that is extremely busy not least with school children in the morning, at lunchtime and in the afternoons.

“If it does fall there is a real chance it could kill any unsuspecting passerby who happens to be going about his or her business at the wrong time.”

Interiors shop Living in Store closed in 2012 and has remained empty ever since.

Letting agent Duncan Bailey Kennedy, which is not responsible for the building, notified the building's owner along as soon at it became aware of the problem.

Marlow Town Council also urgently requested the owner to fix the issue.

The building's owner was contacted for a response, but none has yet been received.