COLCHESTER Council bosses have been criticised for omitting reference to the town’s Roman heritage in its new branding.

The council’s Cabinet agreed to change the town’s strapline from Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town to Britain’s First City.

But the new slogan met with confusion from residents who lamented the loss of the existing iconic branding.

Alice Goss said: “Yes, Colchester was once a city, but not a city in terms of modern cities. We have no cathedral. Cities in Roman times were different compared to cities in later years. It’s an accurate statement but misleading.”

Oggie Weldon added: “What’s wrong with Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town or Roman Town - I’ve always felt proud to repeat that.”

Sam McCarthy said: “I was keen on Colchester getting city status a couple of years ago when it went to Chelmsford.

“It helps with tourism and the town can also get extra funding.

“The town was once a city, so those saying that is a made up fact, are wrong. However, this should have gone to the people for a consultation.”

MP Will Quince also waded into the debate. He said: “It seems most share my view that it’s misleading to use the term city when we are a town and failing to reference our Roman heritage is a mistake.”

The new signs were donated by the previous mayor Gerard Oxford as part of a scheme to promote Colchester’s heritage.

Council tourism boss Tim Young said the new strapline had got exactly the reaction the council was hoping for and welcomed the debate.

He said: “I think it is excellent. It is what we hoped would happen when we put forward the strapline – it has caused debate and is raising the profile.

“One thing I must point out is it is historically accurate. Historians wouldn’t be saying it if it wasn’t true.

“It is great having a debate and I hope it goes even further beyond Colchester and people will engage with it. I think it is good for Colchester.”

Other options suggested by the council’s heritage and tourism task and finish group proposed changing the strapline to Britain’s First Roman City as well as several other options.