A litter-pick in St Austell turned up an unusual find – a road sign for the historic mining town of Radstock, in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, almost 150 miles away. 

Made by the Royal British Legion, the metal sign was discovered in undergrowth at the top of Tregorrick Road by councillors Richard Pears and James Mustoe, who were among a host of volunteers taking part Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean. 

“We thought it was likely to be a temporary highways sign that someone had misplaced, but no – it was an all-singing, all dancing heritage sign for Radstock, near Bath and Bristol,” said Cllr Mustoe.

“I’m not entirely sure how it came to be resting in a layby near St Austell, but I have contacted Radstock Town Council to ask if they are missing a sign, and whether they would like it back.”

Much like St Austell, Radstock is a heritage mining town. Coal was discovered in the area in 1763 and the industry boomed during the 19th century. The old winding wheel and headframe depicted in the sign now stands in front of the Radstock Museum in the town centre. 

The sign has been liberated it from its leafy resting place and taken it to Cllr Mustoe’s house until investigations are concluded. 

“You honestly never know what you are going to encounter next in your work as a councillor,” said Cllr Mustoe. 

The eighth annual Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean – the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign – continues, with two remaining dates for volunteer cleans in the St Austell area: Saturday, April 1 at Pentewan Beach (meet 10am at Cornwall Watersports) and Sunday, April 2 in Carlyon Parish (meet at the Jubilee Field, Tregrehan or Carlyon Bay dog field at 10am). 

The events have been organised by Cllr Mustoe, working with Carlyon Parish Council and local groups including Three Bays Wildlife and Final Straw Cornwall.

If you know anything about how the sign ended up in St Austell, then email [email protected].