Flags promoting Helston's monthly town market will no longer be bought this year - and according to one councillor this is a good thing.

Project manager Martin Searle updated the town council on the current situation with the Monument Market, explaining that as it was already some way through the season before they were due to begin again, new promotional signs and flags would be put on hold.

This prompted town councillor Ron Edgcumbe to say: "I'd like to congratulate you on your decision about the flags; I don't like that. I think maybe we need to reconsider.

"The last thing we want to do is look like Porthleven, with those awful flags everywhere."

Falmouth Packet:

The flags at Porthleven Food Festival in 2018. Photo: ArcLive

The flags had been considered by the council's Projects Group, of which Mr Edgcumbe is now a member, as a way of promoting the markets that usually take place on the second Thursday of each month during the summer.

Held at Monument Walk, next to the Grylls Monument at the bottom of Coinagehall Street, they had been on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read next: Boris Johnson sets out next stages of lockdown easing from August 1

There had been plans to restart the markets in July, but due to concerns from some traders over reopening in the current conditions it was agreed to hold off for another month.

The intention is now to begin the markets again from Thursday, August 13, from 10am to 2pm, subject to at least five or six traders signing up for it.

Quotes that have been received a number of companies able to produce sail flags and clip-on signs to place around the town, encouraging people to make their way down to the market, will now be considered by the Projects Group in the New Year, ahead of the 2021 season.