BRIGHT blue safety signs which met with a frosty response when installed next to the famous but isolated Top Withens ruins near Haworth are to be replaced.

Yorkshire Water confirmed this week that following a largely negative reaction to the three signs, it has listened to public demand and will replace the notices with signs more in keeping with the scenic landscape.

A spokesman for the company said: "The signs will be replaced with alternatives that blend more sympathetically into their Brontë country setting.

"The new signs will be co-designed by the Brontë Society and Yorkshire Water, with the promise that they will be more in keeping with the rural area."

The news has provoked a delighted reaction from councillors and members of the public who had hit out at the existing signs' siting and appearance. They argued that they detract from the remote, atmospheric setting of the ruined farmhouse building.

Stanbury resident Lesley O'Brien, who had contacted Yorkshire Water to suggest how these safety warnings could be designed more sensitively, thanked the company for promptly paying attention to people's criticisms.

"I'm delighted that Yorkshire Water has engaged with the local community and taken on board the concerns raised," she said.

Worth Valley ward councillor Glen Miller said: "I welcome this news and I wait to see the outcome of the discussions between Yorkshire Water and the Brontë Society.

"I also think Bradford Council's rights of way department should be involved, because they do have some experience in this area."

Fellow Worth Valley ward councillor Russell Brown said parts of the walls of Top Withens are unstable, so the new signs still need to be visible enough to warn visitors of the potential danger.

The current signs were recently erected by the landowner, Yorkshire Water, to warn people not to sit or climb on the ruins of Top Withens due to the risk of injury from loose stones.

The company's spokesman added: "We recognise that there has been some negative responses to these well intentioned safety signs, so we are pleased to say that we will work with the Brontë Society to change them.

"The new signs will be carefully designed so that they blend in better with their location, and we hope to unveil them as soon as possible.

"This is an area that we are proud to be associated with, and the new signs will celebrate the area by informing passers-by of the building’s famous links with the Brontë sisters.”

A spokesman for the Brontë Society said: “Although the association of Top Withens with Wuthering Heights from Emily Brontë’s novel of the same name is a loose one, we recognise that for many people the site holds a special significance.

"The Brontë Society is delighted to be working with Yorkshire Water to help them produce signs which are more sympathetic to this inspirational landscape.”