TEIGNMOUTH’S roadside ‘welcome’ signs have been revamped with a bright, modern look.

The old ones were 35 years old, and showing signs of wear from the weather and thousands of passing vehicles. Now new signs have been installed on the main roads into the resort, and are the work of award-winning local artist and author, Laura Wall, in her traditional style.

They were ordered by the former Teignmouth and Dawlish Community Interest Company, and the then town centre development manager Tracy Scranage. Town clerk Tracey Higgs suggested Laura, who has a gallery in the arts’ quarter, for the design and she said she would be delighted. Edward Chorlton, the chairman of the Teignmouth town centre management committee, was also asked to become involved to advise on the design, its compliance with the traffic signs regulations, and to liaise with county council.

With some comings and goings regarding the wording, and the amount of detail permitted, a draft was prepared. This was taken to the town council earlier in the year, who gave their unanimous enthusiastic approval.

The wording is the same as that on the old signs, ‘Welcome to Teignmouth, The Gem of South Devon, Historic Port’. The gem phrase came from a 1950s railway poster, and has been used for many years. There is also a plate which states ‘Twinned with Perros-Guirec’, together with the crests of the two towns. The lettering and border is in what is known as Teignmouth Blue, which is used on lighting columns, bench ends, bollards and so on.

Laura’s artwork is an idealised view incorporating the pier, lighthouse, The Ness, the Beachcomber and The Den.

‘Teignmouth is such a vibrant and creative town, and I love that this was acknowledged by the town management partnership and the county council when they decided to update the signs, making something functional into something beautiful,’ she said.

‘This is the first thing that visitors see on entering our lovely town, and I hope depicts that we are a wonderful, happy place with lots to offer. I was absolutely honoured to create the artwork for the signs. I really want Teignmouth folk to be proud of it too.

‘Knowing my art is greeting visitors and locals is very humbling indeed.’

The finance was accessed by county councillor Sylvia Russell who declared: ‘It is a pleasure to support the new eye-catching boundary signs from the Invest In Devon funds. Laura has captured the spirit of our town with her distinctive colourful designs.’

And mayor Cllr Robert Phipps added: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to bits with the new totally unique boundary signs designed by our very talented Laura.’Three of the four have been erected, and the other at Shaldon Bridge will be up soon.

Mr Chorlton added: ‘Although it has taken some time, the replacement of the signs is a fine example of the county council working together with local volunteers to provide a locally distinctive sign.

‘I want, in particular, to thank Laura who gave freely of her time over a period of months as the design was developed. She created this bespoke artwork in her own time without charge’

.He also paid tribute to the then county traffic engineer, Mike Jones, ‘who worked with everyone with a can do approach which helped to resolve issues as they arose’