TRADITIONAL Dorset road signs are under threat from new government legislation, claims a councillor.

Dorchester town councillor Roland Tarr says the removal of old signs and their replacement with modern reflective ones will ruin the look of the county's villages.

Mr Tarr said a Government pronouncement meant that all signs on A and B roads should be of a standard national design.

He said: "This makes sense on fast main roads but Dorset has always had its own traditional finger posts in sensitive areas like country lanes and rural conservation areas.

"Not only would locals be upset by this unnecessary intrusion and destruction of our local character, but visitors who come to enjoy the Dorset countryside would also lose out."

Mr Tarr said the attractiveness of places like Piddletrenthide and Frampton would be seriously damaged if large, reflective signs were installed.

He said: "Tourists come to the county because it's a bit different from home.

"One of the things about Dorset is that it has more traditional customs and features.

"On a small village green like Piddletrenthide, large metal signs just aren't appropriate."

Mr Tarr said he understood the need to have easy to read signs on main roads where people were travelling quickly, but felt the local surroundings and road conditions should be taken into consideration elsewhere.

He said: "I would like the county council to fight this absurd ruling and have an exception made for rural conservation areas and 30mph zones, enabling Dorset to continue to install and maintain its famous traditional signposts."

Kevin Cheleda, Dorset County Council district highways engineer, said: "There is no county council plan to replace old road signs with the modern equivalent.

"Unfortunately there are rules and regulations we have to follow and once the sign's become too expensive to replace, we have been advised they have to be replaced.

"We're currently seeking advice from the Department of Transport on this issue but we intend to remove signs for repairs."