MUMS at a Pershore pre school are in dispute with the district council over a brightly coloured sign outside their premises.

Volunteers at Hopscotch Pre School in Priest Lane put up the bright red sign last year but Wychavon District Planners have now told them to take it down.

Pre school supervisor Paula Tarran said Wychavon's planning department had originally advised the school that consent was not needed for the sign. "It has been up since last August. I was surprised when they came and told us to take it down, we really didn't think it would bother anyone because we are a pre-school. It astonished us that someone complained.

"We are charitably run and we hardly have any money." She added that the mums were appealing against Wychavon's ruling in the hope that they won't have to remove the sign which cost£600.

The pre-school has been operating at the site for 11 years as St Wulstan's Pre-school, changing its name to Hopscotch last year. Currently 35 children are on the books and children from the Holy Redeemer School use a breakfast club and after-school club.

Like St Wulstan's Hall, the building that the sign is mounted on is owned by the nearby Roman Catholic church.

Planning officer Mark Lynch said the matter is now in the hands of an independent inspector. "We felt that the sign was in too prominent a position and if we allowed it to stay it could set a precedent for other businesses in Pershore. We have suggested that it would be acceptable if it was free-standing and at eye level, not mounted on a building as it is now."

The appeal is been dealt with by written representations. Anyone who would like to contribute can find out how by calling planning officer Peter Bateman on 01386 565389.