THE mystery of the missing Swindon Bridge sign is still kept alive in twin town Salzgitter three years after it disappeared.

Controversy reigned when Swindon's German twin town burgers named it without consulting local residents.

Some of the people of Ringelheim a picturesque village that forms part of Salzgitter were furious about the decision.

And days after its official opening, someone made off with a boulder on which a commemorative naming plaque was fixed.

Today, although the theft remains a talking point and the source of some humour, the identity of the culprit remains a mystery and red-faced officials are yet to find the sign.

Waltraud Roesel, a former resident of the village, said many now refer to it simply as the New Bridge.

"The people of Ringelheim are very independent and they were upset when the council did not ask them if they could name it after Swindon," she said.

The road bridge was built over the town's railway line to replace its predecessor, because of safety concerns.

Mrs Roesel, who is also a member of the German and English Society, which is equivalent to the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association, added: "People here are very protective of their village and they work hard to look after it.

"Salzgitter does not have a lot of money to spend so a lot of repairs and maintenance are paid for by the people."

Adolf Nolte, who has lived in the village for 22 years, agreed that they should have been given the chance to cast their vote.

He said: "I am not a fanatic like some people in Ringelheim but we should have been asked.

"We are all very proud of the village and it is a lovely place to live."

Gunter Heinisch, spokesman for Salz-gitter council, admitted that formal discussions had not taken place.

He said: "The decision to name the bridge after our twin town of Swindon was taken unofficially during a visit to the town by the Swindon mayor.

"All bridges have a name and we thought it should be named Swindon Bridge. The majority of the people in Salzgitter have no problem with it it is just a few.

"No council can please everyone and we are now able to laugh about it."

Markus Muller of Salzgitter police said: "We are treating this as a case of theft and enquiries are still being carried out. This is in no way an attack on the German English link."

Kevin Shoesmith