DISGUST and outrage were words used by Dunmow residents after a building works sign was placed on the town centre war memorial just days after poppies had been laid in remembrance. However, it was soon removed after complaints flooded in to Essex County C

DISGUST and outrage were words used by Dunmow residents after a building works sign was placed on the town centre war memorial just days after poppies had been laid in remembrance.

However, it was soon removed after complaints flooded in to Essex County Council's highways department which then notified the offenders.

The sign, reading: "White Street closed from 19th November for 3 days for building works" was seen by Danielle Saltmarsh, 25, from New Street on Wednesday morning, last week, as she strolled into town.

She said: "Barely a week since remembrance day itself, I suddenly notice a roughly four feet high board, covered in the scruffiest hand writing, propped up on the post office side of the Remembrance monument, hiding a number of poppy wreaths behind it.

"By the fact it was advertising the forthcoming closure of White Street, I presume it was erected by someone connected to the building works.

"Personally, I find it an eyesore but most importantly this is a highly disrespectful action and it belittles not only the town but the few hundred people who gathered there on both Sunday and Tuesday of last week to pay their respects to our war dead and serving.

"I may only be 23 years of age but I have been brought up to remember and honour these brave men and women, not just on November 11 but all year round, and I plan on teaching my six month old son the same principles as he grows up. But how is his generation supposed to learn this when some people show such ardent disrespect?"

Pickford Builders, who were responsible for the sign, apologised and said they did not mean to upset anyone. A spokesman for the building company said: "We were doing some restoration work on the old town hall and so we had to close part of White Street.

"As soon as we received notice of a complaint from the Essex Highways Department we took the sign down. We were there within 20 minutes of receiving the call and apologise if we caused any offence."

What do you think? E-mail editor@dunmowbroadcast.co.uk or nick.thompson@archant.co.uk