ONE of the A140's best-loved landmarks is set to return – to the delight of villagers and motorists.A 100-year-old pub sign, which spans the A140 at Little Stonham, has been absent since November last year.

ONE of the A140's best-loved landmarks is set to return – to the delight of villagers and motorists.

A 100-year-old pub sign, which spans the A140 at Little Stonham, has been absent since November last year.

One of only three of its kind in the country, the sign had to be removed from outside the Magpie Inn when it started to rot.

However, planning permission has been granted for a replacement and it is hoped it will be put in place shortly.

Negotiations are currently underway between Pubmaster, who own the Magpie Inn, and Suffolk County Council's highways department.

A spokeswoman for Pubmaster said: "We've complied with all the requests from the authorities and we're currently liasing with the highways authority to ensure we meet their requirements.

"Once that's complete, we hope to start work as soon as possible but at present we don't have a time scale."

The new sign will stand seven-metres high and ten metres wide, with timber posts painted white. The original Magpie Inn emblem will be attached to it.

Stonham Parva parish council is eagerly awaiting the sign's return.

Parish clerk Marilyn Bottomley said: "We'll be delighted when it's back in place. It's obviously a landmark in the village and people will be pleased to see it back."

Theresa Briggs, 34, who lives opposite the sign, said: "It's been quite a topic of conversation and everyone wants it back as far as I know.

"It's part of our heritage and people in the village feel very strongly about it."

Sally Voelcker, of Bucklesham, has been using the road for the past 40 years and said she will welcome the return of the familiar sight.

"I go up and down the road quite a lot and I do miss it as a landmark, she said.

"It would be nice to see it back."