Frank can make it in Hollinwood

Photo: PHOTO BY DARREN ROBINSON

H-EADING in the right direction . . . Frank and (below) the sign

DREAMS of putting Oldham on the world map with a touch of Hollywood glamour are sensationally still alive.

Councillors have approved a scheme to re-create the world-famous Tinseltown sign next to the M60 in Hollinwood — against their own officers’ advice.

The local hero behind the scheme will now take on the Highways Agency which says it will not have the sign on its land.

Oldham hit the headlines when the 8ft-high letters were mysteriously erected at the junction 22 slip-road in August.

The sign was immediately removed by the agency which branded it unsafe.

Businessman Frank Rothwell was unmasked as as the man behind a £700 scheme to rival Gateshead’s Angel of the North — with more than 200 messages of support through the Chronicle’s Are You Backing Frank campaign.

At least 2,000 Facebook users also voted to bring it back and the Manchester Cabins boss submitted an official planning application.

Mr Rothwell was ecstatic at last night’s decision by the planning committee and told the Chronicle: “It would have been a very brave council to vote against it given the weight of support we have been getting. There have been no negative vibes at all.

“It is not going to cost the people of Oldham anything.”

Mr Rothwell has spent more than £2,000 preparing the plans.

He added: “We have now got a mandate because the people of Oldham have spoken through the planning committee.

“We have now got to approach the Highways Agency and I couldn’t do that without this.

“I am going to make this happen. Millions and millions of people who do not live in Oldham will see it. We are advertising our town to millions.”

The Highways Agency fear that the sign will attract drivers’ attention — described as political correctness gone mad by Councillor Mike Buckley.

Councillor Steven Bashforth added: “It can only do good for Hollinwood. It’s just fantastic.”