Council lavishes £60,000 on logo - but it's almost identical to another town's

Two towns just 75 miles apart have ended up with virtually identical logos in a coincidence that has left those involved scratching their heads.

The heart-shaped letter B is a central part of Blackburn's £60,000 marketing campaign that was unveiled in May - and it's nearly identical to a logo that has been displayed outside Barrow town hall since March.

Grand ... 60 grand to be precise: Blackburn's expensive new emblem

Looks familiar? But Barrow's emblem is the older of the two

Manchester-based design agency Creative Lynx created the logo for Blackburn to help in a drive to 'change perceptions' of the town.

Meanwhile Kendal-based Cactus Creative designed their logo for a Love Barrow campaign.

Steve Nicholas, a director of Creative Lynx, said he 'did not have a clue' that his branding was so similar.

He said: 'I know there was an initiative in Barrow a few years ago where they had a heart with a couple of lines through it - now this one has popped up.

'It looks to me as if the Barrow one is a civic pride thing. I don't think it impacts on Blackburn in any way.

'Ours is more wide-ranging, and I think looks a lot better.'

Blackburn's logo was first discussed by the town centre board in August 2007 and launched in May.

The Cumbrian town's branding was approved in January and had been on show in Barrow since March 17.

Niki Plimley, a senior account manager for Cactus Creative, said she had never seen the Blackburn logo.

She added: 'I was not aware of what they were doing, but I will have a look at it.'

Creative Lynx was paid £60,000 to discover how best to market the town. Staff designed the logo and a marketing campaign.

Angry resident Ryan Cooper said: 'Sixty thousand pounds for a B? What a waste of money. The cash would have been better spent doing up the town.'

The 27-year-old added: 'The town's kids could have made a better job of it - and it would have been cheaper too.'