The petition to keep Ledbury's Tourist Information Centre in the Homend has been signed by more than 1,000 people in less than three weeks.

Herefordshire Council aims to save £21,500 in rent every year by moving the TIC into The Master's House in St Katherine's, which it already owns.

The petition started off in the TIC but was moved on council orders and can now be signed at the Ledbury Town Council offices and some shops and businesses.

John Burnett, spokesman for Herefordshire Council, said: "Under the circumstances, it was felt inappropriate for the petition to be held at the TIC as this is the building to which the petition relates."

Andy Ward, chairman of Ledbury Tourist Association and English Festival, is calling for the petition to be put back for public signing in the TIC.

He called the TIC, in its present location, "the economic hub of the town" and said its large windows were used by local businesses to generate extra trade.

Mr Ward added: "The hidden benefits should be considered. I want the petition back in the TIC, unless someone can come up with a good reason as to why it should not be there. As ratepayers we should have free access to that petition in a public building."

Yesterday (Thursday), Mr Ward took to the streets to drum up more support.

One of the people who signed was former town mayor Fred Cobb, who said: "I very much support the TIC where it is. Why put it out of sight?"

Mr Ward called the location of the Master's House depressing and added: "I don't see what we can do to make it better. It's tired and unloved."

Barry Ashton, Herefordshire councillor for Ledbury, said: "I can understand the council saying, we pay for this TIC so why allow a petition to run that aims to stymie our policies?

"The existing TIC is in an excellent location but it is also extremely expensive."

Coun Ashton added that the TIC proposals were not yet firmed up.