FURIOUS residents have launched a counter campaign after a bid was unveiled to rename Purfleet.

Recently, the Gazette reported on the launch of a petition to change the name of Purfleet, to Purfleet-on-Thames, in a bid to improve regeneration and business in the area.

The Purfleet-on-Thames Community Forum are behind the plans, and have been working towards a name change since 2002.

Now, with a host of councillors on board with the plans, including council leader Rob Gledhill, a petition has been launched hoping to gain resident backing for the proposal.

But not everyone is so impressed, with residents launching a counter campaign, urging for Purfleet to continue under its current name.

Purfleet resident Si Braybrooke-Gibbens has launched a Facebook page against the bid, claiming the name is full of history and should be preserved.

She pointed towards the name dating back to the 11th century, and its strong links to the Second World War, as well as the song, Amazing Grace, by John Newton, which was inspired from his near-death boating accident in Purfleet.

Si said: “Above all any proposed name change should be a democratic process. There should be a referendum for residents with the pros and cons of keeping the name and changing the name set out so people understand fully the implications.

“There should be no financial or promotional help from outside interests. These are people who have no interest in the historical value the name has but know that it is definitely easier to sell somewhere with ‘on Thames’ in the name than just Purfleet.

“The community forum should not be running the renaming campaign as they have wanted this name change since their inception 16 years ago and have always used the name as the official name of the forum creating unfair bias from a forum that should be unbiased and representing all residents not a few who with pet projects and personal agendas.

“There should be full disclosure on how much a name change will be for the taxpayer. Signs for the village and highways, local businesses and council facilities. There has been no costings set out - as taxpayers many residents would rather their tax was spent on more worthwhile projects such as speed reduction and pollution.” Visit facebook.com/KeepPurfleetAsPurfleet/