Bath & North East Somerset Council is appealing for the return of 21 banners which were taken by people seeking a memento of the Torch Relay in Bath on Tuesday 22nd May.
Thirteen Olympics banners were removed from The Royal Crescent and one from Orange Grove. Also six of the ParalympicsGB banners were removed from The Circus and one was taken from Laura Fountain, on Great Pulteney Street. Bunting from outside the Victoria Art Gallery was also taken.
An amnesty has been opened for the return of the banners and bunting – which are intended to be used for further events leading up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, including the Paralympic Flame Celebration in Bath on 25 August.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield) Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “These flags were bought by Bath & North East Somerset Council to bring enjoyment to all of our residents and visitors. We planned to re-use them over the summer at various events so that the enjoyment could be extended, therefore we urge anyone who has them to return them immediately so as not to spoil the celebrations which began with the Torch Relay.
“At the end of the summer we intend to let people have a feather flag in exchange for a donation to the Council Chairman’s designated charities for the year – Bath & North East Somerset Care Centre, Julian House and RUH Cancer Care Campaign. We also plan to donate the bunting to local community groups.
“In the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics, we hope that those people who took the banners and bunting in the excitement of the day will show a bit of fair play and give them back before we have to contact the police.”
Anyone in possession of the missing banners and bunting is asked to return them by Friday 15 June to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s One Stop Shop, on Manvers Street, Bath.
