ST IVES Town Council s important announcement (The Hunts Post, November 28) of its competition for the design of new welcome road signs is all very good. But, in addition to wanting to attract budding artists and no doubt offer prizes to the under-11

ST IVES Town Council's important announcement (The Hunts Post, November 28) of its competition for the design of new "welcome" road signs is all very good.

But, in addition to wanting to attract "budding artists" and no doubt offer prizes to the "under-11s, 11-16 year-olds and 16-years and up" categories, why does the town council not also aim at embracing the talents of gifted adults and also qualified graphic designers in St Ives?

They might be eager to give something back to their town.

Surely we want to find the best possible design from within the town for our new signs.

How and by whom is the competition to be judged?

Here surely is an opportunity for the town council to engage the community in choosing the best design. And what will be the prizes?

Why is there such a tight deadline of Friday, December 14, for entries to the competition?

The current pictorial signs depicting the town bridge might look less "tired" (the council's word) if they were looked after and kept clean.

The "twinning" sign which Councillor Jason Ablewhite chose to be photographed next to is just plain boring.

IAN DOBSON, Rookery Close, St Ives