A world famous Oxford museum is at the centre of an unsightly row over two advertising banners.

Managers of the Ashmolean Museum said despite the Ashmolean's illustrious reputation and grand appearance, few people realised it was there.

They have been given temporary permission to hang a pair of advertising banners from the columned entrance, in Beaumont Street, in a bid to entice more people inside.

But the banners - which museum bosses want installed permanently - caused concern amongst city council planners.

Councillors were worried that the dark blue, vertical banners will ruin views of the neo-classical, grade I listed building.

And the Oxford Civic Society, English Heritage, the Oxford Preservation Trust and the Victorian Society have all raised objections to the Ashmolean's portico entrance being "disfigured".

Councillor George Kershaw said: "Instead of being an attractive entrance, it would become a drab entrance."

Dr Christopher Brown, director of the museum, said: "The truth is that very few people know that this building is the Ashmolean.

"The modern way in which museums attract attention to themselves is the use of banners. There is, in my view, no more effective way of identifying a building as a museum and giving a sense of it being a rich and exciting experience to visit."

Story date: Saturday 27 February

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