Signage costing £8,200 which was due to be placed at locations across Woodbridge is unlawful according to two local councillors.

According to town councillors Eamonn O’Nolan and Patrick Gillard the council decided to purchase new signs last year.

These new signs would be put up in Elmhurst Park, Fen Meadow and Kingston Field. The new signs would replace old signs in situ on the sites.

Further signs would then be purchased at the council’s discretion in the future and would be placed at other locations such as: Broomheath, the Art Club, Quaker Burial Ground, Tide Mill, War Memorial, and the Whisstocks Open Space.

The councillors allege that signs for all of the locations were ordered at once, paid for ahead of delivery and that they should not be used due to a fault on the signs.

Amongst the problems are that the crest on the new signage has the cockerels facing the wrong direction and the flowers on the shield in a new design.

Mr O’Nolan and Mr Gillard say that the changes were never formally accepted by the College of Arms and so cannot be used.

“The Crest used on the new signage is a modification of the existing crest,” said the councillors.

“The College of Arms has determined that it is unlawful to bear Arms which have not ben authorised by the Crown or by Her Majesty’s heraldic authorities at the College of Arms, and accordingly the new signage cannot be used.”

The councillors also allege that only a quarter of the signs have ever been delivered and that the council are refusing to seek a refund for the undelivered goods.

“As Councillors, mindful of our responsibilities to the taxpayers of Woodbridge, and of the importance of transparency in modern government, we do not feel it is right to cover up any aspect of the way in which the Council is run,” said Mr O’Nolan and Mr Gillard.

A spokeperson for the Town Council said: “Matters regarding signage for Woodbridge Town are due to be discussed at Woodbridge Town Council’s Finance and Staffing Committee Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 19 June 2018.

“It is not correct to pre-empt the discussions and decisions of the Committee at this stage.”

The Finance and Staffing Committee Meeting will take place at the Shire Hall at 7pm.