CONFUSION has arisen in Poole after a sign welcoming visitors to the town was taken down “randomly” by the council.

Residents in Blandford Road, in Hamworthy and on the border with Upton and Poole, have noticed the sign which said ‘Welcome to the historic borough of Poole’ disappeared.

One woman living in a road nearby said: “It disappeared randomly with no warning”.

Another woman named Rose suggested “maybe people aren’t welcome to Poole anymore?”

Ward councillor Julie Bagwell, and deputy mayor of Poole, said she was “furious” the sign had been taken down and has tried to get answers.

'Welcome to the historic borough of Poole' (Image: Daily Echo)

A spokeswoman for BCP Council said the sign was in fact recently taken down to make way for a new housing development, consisting of around five new homes.

She said a new sign welcoming people to Poole will be added by the developer and will not cost the taxpayer a single penny.

A BCP Council spokeswoman said: “The sign is being relocated as part of the planning conditions relating to the nearby development.

“We are working with the developer to relocate a new sign, and this will be done at no cost to the council.”