CAMPAIGNERS have handed over a petition calling on the town council to reconsider removing an advertising structure in Lyme Regis.

A total of 470 people have signed the petition, asking the council to think again about plans to remove the advertising rotunda at Cobb Gate for the Marine Theatre.

Last month, members of the council agreed that the structure will be removed (12) and replaced by two bollards following concerns it is located too close to a bus stop. It is thought it will be removed next week.

One of the organisers of the petition, Peter Wiles, said that he had been both surprised and encouraged by the strength of feeling about keeping the structure in place.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

He said: “We only had time to run the petition for seven days and it’s a very busy time of the year but the level of support was fantastic.

“We’d like to thank everyone who helped collect signatures and, of course, those who signed it.”

Mr Wiles said the majority of signatures were from local residents including Marine Theatre volunteers and supporters – while emailed support came in from as far afield as Tokyo, Canada, Australia and Chicago.

Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell, who received the petition has previously labelled the decision to remove the rotunda as “taken in haste”.