A new appeal for information has gone out after a banner designed to boost trade in Watchet which has slumped due to a road closure has been cut down for a third time.

The sign, which cost Watchet Chamber of Trade (WACET) £69, is an attempt to improve business after the closure of the B3191 coastal road reduced local trade by up to 80 per cent.

Chamber of trade chairman John Richards replaced it after the second time it was removed from railings on Watchet railway bridge. The banner was found later thrown over a hedge at St Decuman's Church.

But Mr Richards said on Saturday morning it had now been cut down for a third time. He said: "WACET cannot afford this at £69 per banner. It is for the town but someone does not like the town they live in.

"Someone must have seen this when driving. Both I and the police need this information to have the thief arrested.

"I will not, repeat not spend any more of WACET's money until this person is caught - I am fed up with trying to encourage visitors just to have someone trying to ruin the town.

"Please advise me and the police of any dash cam footage etc etc. This is beyond a joke."

Mr Richard posted an appeal for information Facebook on Saturday. One person replied: "What a shame, Watchet people must feel so angry."

Mr Richards said after the second incident: “This is a complete mystery to us and all we can assume is that is the work of someone who doesn’t want Watchet to survive."

Concrete blocks were brought in to block the road after a a barrier was damaged at the end of January.

Traders have been told Somerset's highways authority has applied to keep the coast road into the town closed for up to 18 months.

The B3191 road at Cleeve Hill, used by up to 2,500 vehicles a day, has been closed since January 12 while experts investigate a major landslide of soil and rocks.

The road connects Watchet to Blue Anchor and provides a diversionary route from the A39, a key route for holidaymakers travelling from M5 to the Exmoor National Park and the Butlin’s holiday camp in Minehead.

Meanwhile the district council has confirmed its desire to secure the road’s long-term future – but that it will remain closed until a project with the Environment Agency (EA) has been agreed.

Avon and Somerset Police appealed for information about the damage to the banner. A spokesperson said: "Witnesses, or anybody that may have relevant CCTV or dashcam footage, can call 101 and quote reference number 5223034936.”