COUNCILLORS in Christchurch have formally agreed to accept the town coat of arms and the boards listing mayors since 1297.

At the first annual meeting of the new town council on Wednesday, its members agreed to the transfers from the now abolished borough council.

The mayoral boards will be fitted in the Old Town Hall, although a lack of space means boards listing MPs and town clerks, and photos of past mayors will continue to be held at the civic offices.

The transfer was first agreed by the borough council in December when it also approved plans to petition the College of Arms for the town council to take on the coat of arms.

Work to complete the process is estimated to cost £3,500, all of which will be covered by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

The move was welcomed by councillors on Wednesday who unanimously agreed to accept the transfer.

Cllr Colin Bungey said: “It was always a great regret to me that when we joined with East Dorset [district council] it was forgotten.

“I’m glad that we now have this opportunity to have a proper coat of arms which many others don’t have.”

Cllr Sue Spittle added that it meant “such a lot” to people living in the town that the coat of arms and boards were kept.

She questioned what plans were for the other boards naming clerks and MPs as well as photographs of former mayors.

Cllr Lesley Dedman said a lack of space meant they would be kept temporarily by the new unitary authority at no cost to the town council.

It was agreed that the mayoral boards would be installed in the Old Town Hall, which is the base for the town council and its two employees.

A report published ahead of the annual meeting on Wednesday said the coat of arms would become “the corporate identity” for the town council.