A chain of bras aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer has failed to find support with council officers.
Officials are not amused by the lines of lingerie in a Kirkcaldy housing estate and have called for their removal on health and safety grounds.
Thousands of bras have been sent from across the UK to Vicki Lister, 33, who started the chain in ChestnutAvenue in support of her neighbour, Angela Taylor, who has breast cancer.
But while most locals said bra-vo to Vicki’s efforts, one person disagreed with the sentiment and complained to the council.
Furious Vicki is unrepentant and has vowed that the chain, strung from lamp-post to lamp-post, will stay until the end of the month as planned.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month for Scottish charity BreastCancer Now.
The chain has the backing ofKirkcaldy MSP David Torrance, who has called on council chief executive Steve Grimmond to intervene and allow the “decorations” to remain.
“The residents of Smeaton have received overwhelming support from the local community, which has raised awareness of fundraising events, both locally and across Scotland,” he said.
“The amazing efforts of theseresidents has brought the wholecommunity together and helped tohighlight this devastating disease.”
It is believed the complaint hinged on concerns someone could be hurt if the chain collapsed, a fear dismissed by organisers who say they are keepingan eye on it and fixing problems asthey arise.
Vicki told The Courier her initialreaction to the council order had been one of devastation but she had been spurred on by the hundreds of positive messages she has received.
“We are standing together as acommunity,” she said. “We’ve collected thousands of bras and they’re stillcoming in from all parts of the UK.
“The response has been totallyoverwhelming and most people are behind us and are getting involved.
“We are not going to let one person spoil this and we have no plans to take them down.”
She added: “Angela doesn’t want them down, either, as they’re helping her remain focused.”
Councillor Judy Hamilton is behind the campaigners and has asked officers to review their position. “While under consideration, no action will be taken,” she said.
Senior transportation officer Soma Raviraj said: “Local councillors arediscussing with the campaignorganisers how Fife Council can assist them without compromising the safety of local people. However, we do not encourage people to hang anything from street lights because of safety concerns.”