A Brighton couple have turned cleaning Sussex’s dirty road signs into a social media hobby, attracting thousands of views and recommendations from residents about where to scrub next.

Paul Richmond-Watson and his wife Ruth began in September and say they are already being recognised while out cleaning. They describe their “slightly weird hobby” as therapeutic, good for their mental health and useful to the community.

For Paul, who previously worked in waste disposal, the appeal lies as much in the process as the result. “I think it's the satisfaction seeing the filth slide off and the reveal of the clean sign underneath and the scrubbing sounds,” he said.

“It's an oddly satisfying hobby. It was something to get us out the house.”

Their equipment includes a handheld pump containing pH-neutral biodegradable foam, a brush connected to a water pump and a camera mounted on a tripod. They film the work for their social media account, Filthy Signs ASMR, to see whether others enjoy watching it.

Ruth sees a practical reason for the cleaning: “The amount of time we drive around and can't read anything - it's a problem I do see.”

The couple have also bought equipment to cut back overgrowth near signs. Paul described that obstruction as a “massive issue” which had prompted numerous comments. He said people gave them considerable praise for their cleaning.

The authorities welcome civic pride but draw a distinction between helping a neighbourhood and working safely beside a road. East Sussex Highways said roadside sign cleaning could put members of the public at risk and urged residents to report problems instead.

It has almost 50,000 signs on the county’s road network and said it would respond to reports of dirty signs presenting a safety issue. Problems can be reported through its website.

Hastings Borough Council thanked volunteers for making a “positive difference” and helping create “cleaner, safer, and more welcoming neighbourhoods”. It also urged residents to report dirty, damaged or obstructed signs to the relevant authority, saying those reports help councils identify problems and direct maintenance where it is most needed.