Cornwall village Minions sign removed Published duration 1 October 2015

image caption The sign was removed on Thursday afternoon

A "distracting" Minions road sign erected outside a Cornish village of the same name has been pulled down amid safety concerns.

The hoarding, which was put up at the entrance to the Bodmin Moor community in May, featured the yellow henchmen urging motorists to drive carefully.

But families stopping by the sign for photos had prompted complaints about its location.

Cornwall Council said the removal of the "temporary" sign was planned.

Some residents have fought for the "tourism-boosting" sign to stay, while others have argued it was in the wrong location.

Gary Stone, who owns the village pub, said he was one of many people who wanted the sign to stay where it was as it had "put Minions on the map."

He said it had been "very good for business" and the village had seen its busiest summer since the sign was erected.

But Carl Hearn, Linkinhorne Parish Council chairman said cars had been "stopping in front of the sign in order to have photographs taken".

image caption The sign had boosted business in the area, according to some local residents

"It's really the fact that you don't necessarily want people having children in the road," he said.

"We're just trying to keep the village as safe as we possibly can."

Cornwall Council said in a statement: "The sign was erected as a temporary measure to celebrate the release of the Minions film and was paid for by the film company.

"It is being removed today and returned to the firm as agreed."