FORGOTTEN villagers have started a campaign to get them on the map after council chiefs refused to put up a welcome sign.

And today officials from another small community supported the bid -- claiming its entrance sign had benefited residents.

Locals living in the tiny village of Gollinrod, near Ramsbottom, appealed to Bury Council to raise the profile of the scenic hamlet -- which has a population of just 50 people.

But since their plea fell on deaf ears, a group of residents have joined forces to raise enough cash to pay for their own "Welcome to Gollinrod" sign.

The 'blink and you'll miss it' village lies between Ramsbottom and Summerseat.

Gollinrod resident Geoff Butterworth, who lives off Manchester Road, initially raised the idea and said: "Gollinrod is an old English name in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

"There used to be a sign at the Lower Gollinrod farm around 20 years ago and we had Gollinrod petrol station but that has since changed so there is no mention of Gollinrod as visitors pass through.

"Because Manchester Road is about a mile long, people stopping for directions are usually sent the wrong way towards the football club, which is annoying."

Ramsbottom councillor Dorothy Gunther said: "It's such a small yet lovely place.

"We felt a sign would be well placed as it's all about community spirit but the council said because the place is so small, they couldn't justify erecting a sign.

"It wouldn't be too expensive so I am now examining the possibility of securing funding."

Eddie Carswell, sales manager at Nu-Form Fire UK Ltd, based in Gollinrod, said: "We have satellite navigation in our vehicles but they don't have Gollinrod programmed into them so people visiting the company are always getting lost."

Parish councillors from Slaidburn in Ribble Valley --which has properties dating from the 15th century -- were granted permission a couple of years ago to install a welcome sign.

And sympathising with Gollinrod residents, parish council clerk, Kate Whitwell said the "Welcome to Slaidburn" sign paid for by villagers, was a welcome addition.

She said: "We felt a sign was important as we are an area of outstanding beauty and people use the village as a route to the Lakes. The sign sets the right tone and the people who live here feel it gives more appeal to the village."

A spokesman for Bury Council said: "As Gollinrod is a relatively small hamlet, it does not justify the provision of area signage."

Gemma Heaton, planning officer for the Lancashire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "We would support the villagers of Gollinrod in their quest to erect a sign as long as it's to an appropriate scale and placement.

"It's obvious the residents have got pride in their local environment and they want a sense of identity.

"It would also help promote the rural area."