Council wanted to remove apostrophes from signs 'to avoid confusion'

A local council in the UK has gone back on its decision to remove apostrophes from street signs.

Mid Devon Council has reversed its previous proposal to ban the symbols in order to "avoid potential confusion ... in times of emergency" after coming under fire from local residents, who branded the initial decision "disgusting".

Founder and chairman of the Apostrophe Protection SocietyJohn Richards said: "It is appalling, disgusting and pointless, they have no regard for the English language.

"Throughout the area, teachers are doing their best to teach children grammar and the children have the right to say 'Why bother?' when the council doesn't use apostrophes."

Council officials initially made the decision after carrying out a risk assessment, but Councillor Peter Hare-Scott has now insisted he was never in favour of omitting apostrophes from signs.

He explained: "Personally I'm not happy about using English that's incorrect and don't find this acceptable.

"We are reviewing the situation and I shall be recommending to cabinet on March 28 that they amend the policy so that street names may indeed in future have apostrophes."