Minions sign campaign backed by thousands Published duration 3 October 2015

image caption The sign was removed on Thursday afternoon

More than 3,000 people have backed Facebook campaigners hoping to get a Minions road sign put back.

The sign outside the Cornish village of Minions showed the characters of the hit cartoon film.

But it was pulled down on Thursday amid safety concerns for drivers and people having pictures taken by it.

Campaigners say the sign was good for tourism and local businesses, with Cindy Hart saying: "Surely tourism is the 'bread & butter' for Cornwall."

image copyright ALi Ferguson image caption Ali Ferguson, from Plympton, stopped at the sign for a picture on her wedding day

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

Facebook page Bring Back the Minions Sign was set up on Thursday and has received many messages of support and more than 3,200 likes.

Ali Ferguson, who stopped at the sign for a picture on her wedding day, said: "We feel the sign was an asset to the area bringing in much needed visitors and trade."

John Dean said: "We came down from Leeds in August, and it was on our tick list to find it."

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 sign was erected as a temporary measure to celebrate the release of the Minions film and was paid for by the film company.