THE bar where teenage actor Rob Knox was murdered has removed a sign advertising its Valentine's Day celebrations following complaints from his family.

The Metro Bar in Station Road, Sidcup, had been displaying a board outside the pub referring to a "Bloody Thursday" event with blood dripping from the letters and to its "Valentine's Weekend Massacre".

But the board was removed immediately after Rob's mother Sally Knox, 52, went into the bar personally to complain.

Rob, of Maidstone Road, Sidcup, was stabbed to death outside the bar in May 2008.

Last year Karl Bishop, aged 21, of Carlton Road, Sidcup, was jailed for life after being convicted of the murder.

Mrs Knox said: "The owners know the history of the bar. How could they let this happen? "

Describing the advert as "totally out of order", she added: "They just haven't thought about it.

"This is really upsetting".

A passing News Shopper reader was also upset.

Paul Garland said: " I was appalled to see the content of posters, given the fate suffered by Rob Knox there so recently."

He said he thought the advertisement was "extremely bad taste" and added: "If it upsetting to me as a passer-by, goodness knows how it must affect the family and friends of this young man."

Manager Lee Bentley, who was also running the bar when Rob was killed, said he had been on leave while his wife was having their baby, and had left the advertising board in the hands of a new employee.

He admitted: "Obviously it's in terrible taste and we've taken it down.

"The first I knew about it was when Sally complained."

He added: "Rob's family have been through enough and the last thing we would want to do is upset them."