A series of souvenir plates depicting Wilsden landmarks has prompted more than a storm in a teacup among angry villagers who have branded them "amateurish."

The porcelain plates are advertised in glossy leaflets sent to homes in the area by Kent company Decor Art Creations.

The mailshot claims many hours were spent searching for the most beautiful places in Wilsden to capture its "living heart".

Instead residents say they are riddled with inaccuracies and fail to capture the spirit of the village.

But a spokeswoman for Decor Art Creations, who said the drawings had been produced by their in-house artist, defended the company. She said: "It's a matter of taste and we have not had any adverse comments. Our plates are very decorative."

Martin Harrison, chairman of the Wilsden Village Society, said: "I laughed my socks off when the leaflet arrived.

"I looked at the drawings and thought they just weren't right. The village hall looks like a temporary building, the old Methodist Chapel bears no relation to reality and the car in front of The Bell Inn looks like a Dinky toy.

"As for the Mechanics Institute, the way it has been drawn makes it appear as though it has a flat roof which it hasn't.

"Then they have used poetic licence with the chapel which is in extreme decay since its roof was stolen five years ago."

Another of Wilsden's buildings featured on the plates is the United Reformed Church

And Councillor Simon Cooke (Cons, Bingley Rural) said: "A lot of people feel it's a trifle exploitative using images of the village especially at the time when people are trying to raise money to keep the village hall open.

"They need to raise £15,000 towards the hall's running costs. I'm not saying Decor Art should pay it all but perhaps these people would like to donate a few hundred pounds to the fund otherwise there might not be a village hall for them to paint in future!"

Barbara Deeks, landlady at The Ling Bob, and a plate collector, said she would not give the collection house room.

She said: "I had two customers come in the other day who have lived in Wilsden all their lives. One was so disgusted that she tore up the leaflet, she was so upset about it.

"The artist has failed to capture the feeling of the village at all. They are amateurish. It's as though they have been done by someone who has gone to art class and is practising. The way the clouds have been drawn is particularly ridiculous."

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