A NAKED mermaid is not the type of image Lyme Regis wants to associate itself with, say town councillors.

Most Lyme Regis Town Councillors do agree the town would benefit from a logo but images suggested by Lyme Traders showed altogether too much flesh for some of their tastes.

Chairman of Lyme Traders Tony Colston came to the full council to ask for council support for the logo.

He said: “We would like you to leave aside your personals likes and dislikes for this image.

“Look at the bigger picture.

“It is designed to have impact, designed to create memories and it will do that.

“Corporate brands are bland.

“What we have come forward with is a logo and image that is fun, it’s quirky and it’s friendly and it combines that seaside and geological importance with the arts and regency heritage.”

But it was the mermaid’s obvious charms that had councillors balking at supporting the design.

Coun Michaela Ellis said she didn’t think the town needed a brand at all and the council should not spend £650 on creating one.

She said: “We have a brand, the town shield. “What is wrong with that?

“Would I want to receive a letter from the town clerk with a half-naked woman on it?

“Would anybody else?”

Coun Rikki Austin said the town didn’t have a brand, it had a name.

She said: “In a recession what we need to do is go out and fight for every single visitor.

“We cannot afford to sit around on our laurels and hope that a picture of the town shield is going to draw the masses into Lyme Regis because it won’t.”

She said the council should pay attention to traders who have a wealth of knowledge and who have spent a lot of time and effort on the logo.

Coun Lucy Campbell said branding was absolutely crucial to selling a product. She said: “I support the concept, however, I am not wonderfully keen on the mermaid.”

Coun Anita Williams said the town did need a brand and she quite liked the mermaid.

“But perhaps a little less flesh,” she added.

Coun Barbara Austin said she liked some of the design telling the world Lyme was the pearl of Dorset .

Coun George Symonds said Lyme was a family resort.

Coun Mark Gage said he was amazed an image of a mermaid could be controversial or offensive. Councillors agreed to keep working with the Lyme Traders and the designer to come up with a logo for the town.

Council Michaela Ellis was the only councillor to vote against the proposal.

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