COUNCILLORS are not keen on one of the ‘Welcome to Wellington’ road signs looking as if it has been sponsored by a well-known local family.

The Coles family allowed the town council to use its land to install the welcome sign, along with a planter, on the main road into Wellington from the Chelston roundabout.

Wellington Town Council’s open spaces manager Darren Hill told the authority’s environment committee that a smaller sign had been included to thank the Coles family for its generosity.

The Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, who was acting as chairman for the meeting, said she had no problems with the sign.

But, Cllr John Thorne said: “I’m disappointed the chairman thinks it looks ok, because I think it looks awful.”

He said he did not think it was appropriate for a ‘Welcome to Wellington’ sign to look as if it had been sponsored.

“The Coles family does a lot of good work for Wellington, but I would urge any councillor to go and have a look at the sign,” added Cllr Thorne.

“I know it is all well-intentioned, but at the moment I just don’t think it’s very good.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “The Coles family has been very generous over the years to Wellington, but I do agree with Cllr Thorne’s opinions.

“This reminds me of small American towns being owned by a cattle baron. I don’t mind things being sponsored, but not ‘Welcome to Wellington’ signs.”

The Mayor, Cllr Lloyd, added: “I do not personally see anything wrong with it.

“Ken Coles has done a lot for the town over the years and I suppose this is just down to personal opinion.”

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: “I don’t like the idea of a ‘Welcome to Wellington’ sign being sponsored.”

Mr Hill said his team would look at relocating the sponsorship board nearby.