A PLAN for Wellington to have an official fun mascot – which would help to promote the town at events home and away – has taken a step closer becoming reality.

Cllr Marcus Barr has suggested that Wellington has a life-size cartoon-style mascot, similar to those used by football clubs, to help give the town an identity.

The mascot would come in the form of an outfit which would then be worn by a person.

“We haven’t got a mascot that could go around and promote Wellington at events,” he told members of Wellington Town Council’s town centre committee on November 15. “A mascot would help to bring the community together and be great for the children.

“The whole point of having a mascot is to promote Wellington as a town across the county.”

And Cllr Barr, so enthusiastic about the idea, has even put his money where his mouth is and said he would put on the mascot costume for the first 12 months.

“I would be happy to do it for a year,” he said.

Cllr Mark Lithgow did not, however, share such enthusiasm for an official Wellington mascot.

“We have got a Mayor and a town crier, but I don’t know whether we need a mascot,” he said. “It might not be appropriate.”

But Cllr Kieran Chanham said: “I actually think a mascot would be a really great idea. It would bring an affinity with Wellington and be more interactive. The mascot could go round the town and be a bit of fun.”

And Cllr Catherine Govier added by saying a mascot might engage better with children at events rather than councillors.

“If we had a street fair and had a mascot wandering around there is a very good chance that children would come up to it,” she said.

Cllr Chris Booth said he had initially been 50-50 about the idea, but having listened to the debate he was more in favour of having a mascot.

“I like it,” he said. “I think we need a bit more detail, but there is something that is worth exploring here.”

It was agreed that the idea of having an official town mascot would be investigated and be discussed again at a future meeting.