Community rallies around Weymouth's Fantastic Sausage Factory

The Fantastic Sausage Factory on St Mary Street, Weymouth, has been the source of amusement for many residents and holidaymakers in the past five years since the infamous Big Willy, a 6 ft sausage sign, was installed as a 'bit of fun'.

However, at the weekend, owner Dennis Spurr was surprised to receive a phone call telling him a woman from Surrey had complained about the sign, saying it was offensive to her and would be more at home in Magaluf than in Weymouth town centre.

Big Willy at the Fantastic Sausage Factory Picture: Graham Hunt/BNPS

Mr Spurr has owned the butchers, which also sells takeaway hot dogs with names including 'Cheezy Willy' and 'Dirty Willy', for 25 years and said that the complainant was in the minority.

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He said: "Im this rotten old world I do my best to make people smile and with everything that has gone on in the past year if this is all that woman has to worry about then that's great.

Dennis Spurr and Big Willy at the Fantastic Sausage Factory Picture: Graham Hunt/BNPS

"We've had one person complain about Big Willy before but by and large people absolutely love it. Big Willy is postcard humour and it must be one of the most photographed things in Weymouth - the amount of people that stand there with their arm round him is amazing.

"If I honestly thought it was offensive then I would take it down."

Other holidaymakers have been enjoying visiting The Fantastic Sausage Factory and spending some time admiring Big Willy.

The Hall family were down visiting from Hertfordshire and were shocked to hear someone had taken offence to the shop. They said: "Why would anyone be offended by this - it's called humour. It is just a bit of fun, and there is nothing wrong with a Big Willy."

Dennis Spurr at the Fantastic Sausage Factory Picture: Graham Hunt/BNPS

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Andy Lakin, originally from Dorchester, was visiting from his home near Wolverhampton. He said: "I have been here once before and I was so desperate to come back. I can't see why someone would complain about it - it's just a sausage for goodness sake.

"I've taken loads of photos and my mates are going to love this."