New welcome signs to celebrate town's heritage

An Essex town's history and heritage is to be celebrated with new signs welcoming visitors.

Harlow District Council is planning to put up 13 signs on entry points to the town over the coming weeks.

They will feature depictions of the town's famous sculptures including Elisabeth Frink's 1957 boar sculpture and Jesse Watkins' 1973 work Pisces.

The signs are intended to celebrate the "opportunity, aspiration and innovation" of the town.

The signs are part of a wider project to regenerate the town and locals gave their reaction to the proposed improvements.

"I think it's really good, it's obviously trying to regenerate the town centre and it might bring more people into the town," said 56-year-old Diane Dumont.

Her husband Nigel Dumont, 53, added: "There's not enough green in there for me (on the signs) but the main sculptures of Harlow are there."

Cliff Linford, an art teacher at a local college, said there was "a little bit of a lack of aspiration" in the town and he hoped to see "some innovation".

Conservative council leader Dan Swords told BBC Essex's Sonia Watson the authority was "delivering the biggest regeneration programme in the country".

"We're not just rebuilding the town centre but a lot of the neighbourhoods," he said.

"We are doing it in a way that focuses on the best of Harlow and Harlow's heritage and history.

"In terms of the slogan, Harlow absolutely is a town of opportunity, aspiration and innovation."

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