RESIDENTS have been placing stickers of the Leigh crest over the Wigan coat of arms on street signs in an identity protest.

The use of the Wigan crest on street signs in areas such as Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley has been a source of controversy for a number of years, with many residents angry about being branded as 'Wiganers'.

Pictures of road signs with the crest replaced by its Leigh counterpart have been circulating on social media this week and Wigan Council says it is investigating the issue.

Mark Tilley, the council's assistant director for transport and infrastructure, said: “Having the Wigan Borough crest on new street nameplates was introduced a number of years ago to improve the look and identity of our street nameplates.

“We have sent someone out to investigate the street signs following these reports.”

Jayson Lomax-Hargreaves, UKIP candidate for the Leigh West ward, said: “While I won't condone vandalism I do believe that Leigh streets should have the Leigh crest.

"The same goes for Tyldesley, Atherton and Astley and Mosley Common.

“The reason for this is that people are sick and tired of being classed as living in Wigan when they don't – Leigh and surrounding areas need to be free of Wigan Council control."

Independent councillor for Atherton Jamie Hodgkinson said: “People on this side of the borough are fed up of feeling left out.

“Residents in Atherton and other areas as well feel like they are becoming a big housing estate, with all the amenities in Wigan.

"There is lack of identity for each community, like using the Wigan coat of arms on street signs.

“Where is our heritage going? I am not from Wigan so why should we be branded 'Wiganers'?

"We all need to stick together in our communities to make the council listen and give us our identity back.”