Town abbey signs 'are vandalism'

Some of the signs have attracted criticism from the Civic Society

A North Yorkshire civic society has condemned plans for new visitor signs at a popular tourist attraction as an act of vandalism.

English Heritage wants to put up more than a dozen new signs to help people find their way to Whitby Abbey.

But a suggestion to hang signs down the front of the visitor centre has been described as "sheer vandalism".

English Heritage said the 16 proposed new signs were designed in response to feedback from visitors to the site.

Civic Society chairman Barry Atkinson said that for the most part the signs would help clear up confusion for visitors looking for the car park, the main entrance, the visitor centre or the youth hostel.

But he said the society did not like the impression that visitors to the site have to be treated as "stupid" and needed to be provided with detailed guidance every step of the way.