A CONTROVERSIAL poster telling people to 'jump' has been removed after members of the public complained it was too near a site where people are known to have committed suicide.

Bosses from Oxygen Freejumping have apologised for the poster near to the Itchen Bridge in Southampton.

It was advertising their new centre in Bursledon Road in Thornhill.

A spokesperson said: “We wanted to make a statement after seeing how much interest there has been in one of our billboards in Southampton.

“We intended no ill feeling or disrespect - we're new in town and getting to know our way around. We sincerely apologise and, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, we immediately removed the billboard in question and have donated the space to a charity.

“Oxygen Freejumping is all about promoting positivity and fitness. This billboard is part of a campaign which aims to give over 1,000 Southampton schoolchildren free places to get fit and healthy in the New Year.

“We have had so much support from local Schools, Colleges, Southampton City Council and the Daily Echo and we want to thank the city for welcoming our new business with open arms.”