POOLE-CHERBOURG twinning association have been told they will not be allowed to use the Dorset town’s coat of arms in any of its logos.

Attempts are being made to revitalise the links between the two towns, which are either end of a cross-Channel route, after the Covid years.

The twinning association had asked to use the current town coat of arms but has been told by the College of Arms, which regulates uses, that the current coat of arms is only available to the principle corporate body which it is registered to.

A meeting of the Charter Trustees for Poole heard that, despite this, there was plenty of evidence for the old coat of arms being still in use at both harbours and elsewhere.

Cllr Marcus Andrews, from the twinning association, said the group would have to go along with the decision and would now have to look at alternatives.

It was suggested that a public competition, possibly involving both towns, might come up with a new design.