CALLS to take down a unique Rhyl memorial remembering the town's fallen have been dubbed "pathetic".

Following this year's Centenary Anniversary of the end of the First World War, Rhyl residents have made calls to remove the 212 plastic poppies, each of which features the name of a fallen soldier, as they have begun to sustain weather damage since they were first installed in September.

The poppies, which have been attached to lampposts across the West and East Parade - as well as Market Street, Rhuddlan Road, Sussex Street and Wellington Road - were originally due to be taken down on Tuesday, January 1.

In response, more than 120 residents have taken to social media to vent frustrations with a request by Rhyl Town Council to Rhyl Royal British Legion (RBL) poppy appeal organiser, who developed the idea, Richard Kendrick.

A spokesperson for Rhyl town council said: "Naturally, since the poppies were installed in early September, a number have now suffered weather damage which has led to several telephone calls to the council and councillors suggesting that they should now be removed

"It is not for the Town Council to determine when the poppies are removed, however given the comments received Mr Kendrick has been requested to now remove the poppies."

In April, The Journal reported that more than 200 towns from across the UK had contacted Mr Kendrick with interest in recreating the memorials with the plastic poppies for their own fallen.

Mr Kendrick added: "I would have liked to have left them up until the end of the year, given the significance of the anniversary.

"This was the first year that the RBL ran out of the plastic poppies nationwide - Prestatyn wanted to do the same thing for their fallen but there were only a couple left at that stage.

"Ideally they would have been up for the whole year, but it takes time for us volunteers to raise funds and to have them printed.

"Yes some of the poppies were damaged, but when I spoke to some of the family members of those poppies, they refused the offer to have new ones printed once they became available.

"It's understood with memorials that they aren't resistant to acts of God, in the same way as you don't remove a memorial stone once the wind and rain have eroded the writing. People are just proud to have their family members recognised."

To continue offering families the chance to display the poppies, Mr Kendrick posted to both the more than 8,500 strong Facebook group Restoring Rhyl and the Rhyl forum, leading to more than 120 comments criticising the request.

Writing on the Facebook group Restoring Rhyl, David Fairbrother asks: "Why are people being so pathetic? What harm are they doing? If we complain, would they take the Christmas tree down?"

Mark Taylor slammed the decision: "2018 has not finished yet, nor has remembering our fallen in this the Centenary year. As an ex-member of Rhyl and a servicing Officer in the Army I am appalled that anyone should be complaining."

Sylvia Syms writes: " I think they should be left up till next holiday season at least, so holiday makers can go round and see what the people of Rhyl can do.

Responding on the more than 5,300 strong Rhyl Forum, Sandra Davies writes: "Shame on the moaners."

As The Journal went to press, 50 of thye poppies have already been taken down throughout Rhyl. To keep a poppy, contact Mr Kendrick on 07874256817 or via kendrick7396@gmail.com.