Lorraine Watson, 54, is furious after being told by a local council she must remove the sign - despite it becoming a tourist attraction in its own right.<br /><br />The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, is credited with being the first place to deep fry a Mars bar - a greasy treat which has become a world famous delicacy.<br /><br />The #1.50 snack has become synonymous with negative aspects of the Scottish diet since it was "invented" in the mid-1990s.<br /><br />And as part of improvements to the town, council chiefs have written to Lorraine asking her to remove the banner "for the good of the wider community".<br /><br />But Lorraine, who has owned the shop for two and half years, branded the move "silly".<br /><br />She said: "I just think it's silly. It's wrong in asking me to take it down.<br /><br />"My issue is there's nothing wrong with the banner, it's not ripped and messy or anything.<br /><br />"It's actually an icon for the town. Thousands of people come from all over the world to get a Mars bar and get their picture taken below the banner.<br /><br />"I can't see what the council's problem is.<br /><br />"It's actually bringing tourism to the town. I certainly won't be doing it."<br /><br />The banner has been above the shop since 2006, long before Lorraine took over the business.<br /><br />And she said she has received thousands of messages of support from friends and locals, backing the banner.<br /><br />She has also just spent #80,000 refurbishing her business, making her fume even more over the council's suggestion.<br /><br />Aberdeenshire Council's letter states: "What needs to be done: Remove banner. We would like you, for the greater good of the wider community, to consider doing this work."<br /><br />Lorraine added: "When I read the letter I was like, 'Oh my God, are you joking me?'<br /><br />"There are other things to be addressed in the town other than this banner. It's doing no harm.<br /><br />"We're meant to be advertising Scotland and promoting tourism. It's about bringing people here.<br /><br />"The support I've had in the past 24 hours has been incredible."<br /><br />A spokesman from Aberdeenshire Council said: "Together with a range of community organisations we have been looking at ways to improve the look of Stonehaven for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.<br /><br />"An action plan has been created in conjunction with the Stonehaven Town Partnership, Community Council, Stonehaven Business Association and the Horizon Group.<br /><br />"As part of the action plan we have asked some owners in the area to consider making alterations to their properties.<br /><br />"This included asking the owners of The Carron Fish Bar to consider removing their banner.<br /><br />"We do not wish to prevent the owners from promoting their business and we would be happy to have discussions with them regarding the banner."
