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Residents of the Lincolnshire town of Gainsborough have taken to Facebook to protest against a council motion to rename the town Gainsborough-Upon-Trent.

The online opposition group, 'Against Changing Gainsborough's Name to Gainsborough-Upon-Trent' initially attracted over 800 members in just four days.

The proposal for the name change was submitted by Gainsborough town councillor David Dobbie in a bid to promote tourism by highlighting the town's riverside location and ancient heritage. It coincides with the news that the town will soon double in size, with 2,500 new homes having been granted planning permission last week. 

But the motion has prompted fury amongst locals, who cite the costs and inconvenience to businesses, public sector services and the taxpayer of updating all the town's signage and administration. The local council is also said to be divided, with many seemingly unaware that this proposal was under consideration. 

Mayor Tim Davies has made a statement on the group's wall insisting Cllr. Dobbie's motion is not up for consideration having been submitted in an incorrect format and expressing his unequivocal solidarity for the cause. 

'I would personally like to thank everyone on this page for their continued support for not changing the towns name, we have been known as Gainsborough since 1745 and I feel we have more important issues to deal with as you are all aware. The majority of the Town Councillors are with you on this issue.'

Cllr. Davies has also issued a formal invitation to all members of the Facebook group to a Full Council Meeting to be held tomorrow, although 'the motion to change the town's name will not be discussed at the meeting' having never officially been proposed.

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