Tiny Tykes markets co-founder Donna Field thought she was the victim of more bad luck on Tuesday.

Less than a week after appealing to the public for help, she discovered two of her signs were missing from near Barbecues Galore and thought it was the work of thieves.

“I was pretty devastated,” she said.

“I thought ‘what have I done this time?’”

Mrs Field spent a couple of hundred dollars on two of the signs and another on Mitchell Road, which has also been taken down, was handmade with the help of her father.

“I’m upset that dad’s gone to that effort and it’s been taken down,” she said.

“I don’t have any money left in my pocket.”

Council has admitted to taking down the signs because they were in violation of the State Environmental Planning Policy.

“The State Environmental Planning Policy prohibits the placement of signage on public land without consent,” council’s manager environment and city compliance officer, Mark Gardiner, said.

“The signs were removed in accordance with the Impounding Act 1993 - Section 15.

“Unauthorised signage also affects the visual amenity of the city and is a road safety issue.”

Mrs Field called the council and was told the signs were considered to be a form of “littering” and she required a permit to display them.

She must now pay a fine of $86.30 per sign, which council said they were willing to adjust, but said she refuses to pay.

“If I have to pay the fine I will but I have no intention of paying a fee for someone to take something when they’ve not made any contact with me,” she said.

Mrs Field said the community support in the past week has been wonderful.

More stall holders have booked, taking the total to about 25.

Nappies and baby wipes are being collected for Angels for the Forgotten at the June 3 market at Kyeamba Smith Hall.