Hilton threatens to sue billboard owners

Paris Hilton has reportedly threatened to sue a company which used her image to advertise billboard space.

New Zealand company Media5 used the picture of the star along with the word "vacant" to promote the hoarding, 9 News claims.

However, Hilton's manager Jamie Freed said that the company did not have permission to use the image and could face legal action.

Media5's Adam McGregor described the billboard as a "bit of fun" and added that they had considered using other famous figures to advertise the space, such as the former New Zealand foreign affairs minister Winston Peters.

"Paris is much prettier and she has a proven ability to laugh at herself," McGregor said. "We assume that the agency has taken care of the rights to the image of Paris, but we will ask the question."

He added that the company would be happy to remove the photograph of Hilton if her lawyers asked it to do so.

"We're not trying to offend anyone," he stated.