Civic leaders in Atherstone have been sent the strongest possible message yet on where the town sits on the Goldie Bench saga.

The majority of comments on where the next resting places should be for the popular town-centre benches show residents stand emphatically in favour of "putting them back where they belong".

As revealed in Nubs News , Atherstone Town Council agreed to involve the public in any decision-making process after facing backlash in a social media meltdown following their removal for a "trial period".

And Councillor Jacky Chambers invited views on social media through the Atherstone People's Forum as well as written suggestions for the relocation ahead of the full council meeting in a fortnight.

Nub News sifted through the scores of replies and the vast majority of people who commented want them back in situ.

There were also pleas for the town council to consider adding to the number of benches available for residents and shoppers – not taking away.

The disappearance of the street furniture from their long-term locations in the centre of the town – outside the Nationwide and Red Lion Hotel – proved highly controversial with threats of a petition, and even a council tax revolt, surfacing.

Sympathisers of the group of four of five people – thought to be led by a popular local known to all as 'Goldie' – took to the Atherstone People's Forum complaining "Who stole Goldie's bench?"

Local observers felt the town council's measures would also affect the elderly who use the seats to "catch their breath" while walking through the town centre.

So the town council – "caught between a rock and a hard place" – decided at its last full meeting of the authority to seek opinions before taking any action, even after a renewed wave of public complaints about anti-social behaviour associated around them.

And just hours after posting the invitation, the town responded on social media.

Geoff Freeman summed up the feelings with an additional recommendation to the town council: "Just put them back.

"How many complaints were there? And why not find out how many people liked them just where they were, and then decide where they go?"

It was exactly the same sentiment from Derek Pickard who said: "No prevarication. Put them back where they were," before adding: "As an apology to people, why not add a couple more?

Other suggestions include adding to the Natiownide and Red Lion sites with ones outside the old post office and by Toffs. Doreen Kerr concurred: "The benches need putting back where they were and a few more scattered around please" with Mary-Ann O'Rourke Back adding: "Back where they were, plus benches in those places suggested. They will be used and many will be grateful for them." Pleas for more benches came from disabled residents. Jackie Smith said she wanting the seats returning to the former locations "couple more would be nice to", adding: "I am disabled and used to use them a lot." Shelly Lou Gooders commented: "As a blind person, I used to know where the benches were located and now they're gone. Please put them back where they belong and as I know where they were once."

Tongue-in-cheek, Alan Beale added: "I do believe there's a space outside the Nationwide.

"It doesn't matter where you put them. The same people will sit on them and the same people will complain about the people who sit on them."

Summing Toy Wilkins said: "Back where they were please.

"Why change what wasn't broken and look at the general consensus of the Atherstone people. Not one or two moaners that complained.

"Listen to your locals please."

The town council said people can write their choices and suggestions on survey forms available over the next 10 days at Atherstone Library, Costa Coffee, Atherstone Cafe House , Cafe Resta , and The Coffee Shop . Or post your views [politely please] on Atherstone People's Forum .

Results will be reported to the next town council meeting on March 18.