Calls for mayor to resign in row over town's blue gnomes

A war of words has broken out in an upmarket town over a collection of bright blue gnomes designed to add a splash of colour to the community. The ancient parish of Totnes in Devon is renowned for its high density of listed buildings and alternative, bohemian community. But the decision to adorn a roundabout with five blue gnomes, has caused a major sense of humour failure among residents - and even led to calls for the mayor to resign.



Detractors have railed against the "tacky" ornaments and the "breach of public trust and humiliation" while supporters have described those who complain as "uptight and humourless". The argument has become so heated that it threatens to further open divides between natives and the "organic food eating" incomers attracted by the historic town's growing bohemian scene. The 3ft high statues - modelled after Grumpy and Dopey from the Disney cartoon Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - were donated by a local firm in response in response to an appeal by the town's Britain in Bloom group.

China Blue provided them and they now stand on the Coronation Road roundabout, which had fallen into neglect after cutbacks last year. Around 27,000 drivers a day pass the spot on their way through Totnes, one of Britain's most picturesque towns which is also a magnet for artists and musicians. A local ecologist, Jonathan Crinion, has called on Totnes town mayor Judy Westacott to step down over the matter, saying she was responsible for a "breach of public trust and humiliation" which was "inappropriately construed as fun."



But those responsible for the roundabout, Totnes in Bloom, have leapt to the gnomes - and the mayor's - defence. Ann Rutherford, spokesman, said: "Real Totnesians have fallen about with laughter at the blue gnomes. They are great fun. It is only uptight, humourless incomers who object. Do we constantly have to go round in hair shirts eating organically grown food?"