A newly designed welcome sign for Rickmansworth Aquadrome met unanimous disapproval.

A drawing of the sign, which would be located near the entrance to the Ebury play area and made of oak, included figures of insects and people in canoes.

Leader of the council, Ann Shaw, said it looked “twee and horrible” and questioned whether the insects were “butterflies or pterodactyls”.

Councillor Chris Hayward said it was “scandalous” and asked how much public money was wasted on the design.

Finally councillor Phil Brading described it as “the entrance to Legoland”.

The application was deferred to allow for a new design to be drawn up, at last night's Three Rivers District Council development control committee.