THE cost of moving a pair of ornate celebratory gates that had been put in the wrong place is set to escalate.

When the Jubilee Gates were installed in West Street, Fareham, in 2002 questions were raised about their positioning.

They lead to the back of a shop and one councillor branded them "a glorified fire exit".

Red-faced Fareham Borough Council set about moving the gates to a more prominent position at the southern end of Market Quay car park and a budget of just over £10,000 was put aside.

Now officers are asking councillors to give them an additional £5,660 for the project, which many had hoped would have been completed in time for Fareham Celebrates, which was held in June.

Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said that he found the new cost acceptable.

He said: "We've made a saving on Market Quay of half a million pounds. This is money which will be returned to the council's capital fund and the moving of the gates will have no impact whatsoever on council tax.

"It was better that the gates were installed somewhere rather than being left in a depot and we are pleased with where they will be sited."

Council officers are also looking for a further £20,000 to link the Jubilee Gates with a proposed 'Welcome to Fareham' archway at Cremer Mall. The archway and gates will be linked via an avenue of trees running through the Market Quay car park.

Fareham Borough Council's executive committee meets on Monday, September 5, to discuss the proposals and the additional cost.