Horwich is losing its individuality because of a lack of signs, it has been claimed. At a town council meeting, Horwich councillors heard residents had complained that two pictorial boards on roads into the town needed replacing. Town clerk Lenea Smith said: "As someone put it, they felt that Horwich was losing its identity.

"It's very necessary we do have an indication of where our border is."

One sign on Bolton Road, near the Squirrel Hotel, has not been replaced more than a year after being destroyed in a road accident.

And a sign on Chorley Old Road was said to be in a poor condition.

During the discussion, some councillors had a dig at nearby towns for putting up ridiculous signs which either looked "vulgar" or made "grandiose claims".

Cllr Jeremy Lavin said: "We have all seen boundary signs that are an abomination to the eye and the sensibility."

Cllr Barbara Ronson said the Welcome to Westhoughton signs were not as good as Horwich's pictorial signs and she criticised their "sequin" design.

Councillors decided to put up new signs with similar picture designs and will ask about replacements through Bolton Council highways department.

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