TWO iconic fingerposts which were damaged on Exmoor have been reinstated thanks to the hard work of local volunteers and a charity fund-raising drive.

One of the signposts at Withypool Cross, near Hawkridge, was thought to have been vandalised, and the other which suffered ‘significant damage’ is near Brushford.

The damaged Withypool fingerpost.
The damaged Withypool fingerpost. (ENPA)

Exmoor’s cast-iron signposts are a source of local pride and admired by many visitors from other parts of the country where such road signs were destroyed in the 1960s when the Government ordered them to be replaced with ones made from aluminium.

Somerset, including Exmoor, was one of the few counties which ‘ignored’ the ruling and kept its rural fingerposts, although it fell to local parish councils to maintain them.

Exmoor National Park Authority raised several thousands of pounds through its CareMoor charity to fund the restoration of its damaged fingerposts to their former glory.

The restored Withypool fingerpost.
The restored Withypool fingerpost. (ENPA)

Historic environment officer Shirley Blaylock said: “We are so grateful for the hard work of our volunteers in their surveying, painting, and general help in managing the labour-intensive reinstallation of these iconic signposts.

“The cost of replacing just one finger on these historic signposts is around £1,000, as each one is unique and needs to be specially cast in a foundry, so we are also hugely grateful to Brushford Parish Council, and everybody who made kind donations to the CareMoor historic signpost fund.”

Volunteer and outreach officer Patrick Watts-Mabbott said: “Donors to the appeal have contributed to an important part of Exmoor’s heritage, as well as a vital part of our rural road network and local community pride.

Volunteer and former Dulverton town councillor Piers Wood painting an Exmoor fingerpost at the bottom of Andrews Hill.
Volunteer and former Dulverton town councillor Piers Wood painting an Exmoor fingerpost at the bottom of Andrews Hill. (ENPA)

“Funds pay for local contractors and volunteers to repair damage or suspected vandalism, the specialist paint needed, and safety training for volunteers to work on the highway.”

The park authority has appealed for anybody who spots damage or vandalism of Exmoor signposts, to email [email protected].

Anybody who wants to help keep Exmoor’s unique and historic signposts looking their best can visit the website here to donate.