THE Somerset sign swapper has gone international, with road signs from Spain and France appearing in the town of Midsomer Norton, writes John Wimperas and Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporters.

Last year, towns and villages across Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset found that their signs had been swapped around. Now somebody has been at it again with signs from much, much farther away.

People heading along the A362 in recent days may have noticed that, instead of reading “Welcome to Midsomer Norton,” the sign on the way into the town instead directs people to Barcelona and Valencia via Spain’s longest road, the N-340. Although the sign is actually pointing in the right direction, Barcelona is not for another 720 miles.

Meanwhile, a sign around the corner on Phyllis Hill welcomes drivers to Sallespisse, a small French village in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, some 540 miles from Midsomer Norton.

It is unclear whether signs from Midsomer Norton have appeared in France and Spain to replace the signs now found in the town. A spokesperson for Midsomer Norton Town Council said: “Midsomer Norton Town Council do not have any missing signs currently.”

When the Somerset sign swapper struck last year, Midsomer Norton ended up with a sign from Frome.

In Spain, stealing a road sign can land you with a fine of up to €20,000.

A spokesperson for Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic said ownership of traffic signs in Spain belongs to the relevant highways authority. And, as such, they are unaware as to how the road sign ended up in the UK or whether it has been reported as stolen.

“In any case, beyond the anecdotal, the manipulation or removal of road signage poses an undeniable risk to road safety and constitutes irresponsible behaviour that can have serious consequences,” a spokesperson said.

La Communauté de Communes de Lacq-Orthez, which contains Sallespisse, has also been contacted for comment.