KENDAL town councillors are to mount an appeal after their Golden Jubilee project - a timeline illustrating billions of years of history - was rejected by planners.

The timetrail plan emerged after townsfolk were invited to Kendal Town Hall to brainstorm ideas for celebrating the Queen's half-century on the throne.

The man behind the designs was Ken Johnston, a carpet designer with Goodacres of Kendal, who sketched plaques to be set along the riverside between Miller Bridge and Nether Bridge, depicting momentous events such as the beginning of our universe, the age of the dinosaurs, and the creation of mankind.

South Lakeland District Council's planning committee narrowly voted against the timeline.

Development control manager Peter Ridgway expressed doubts about whether the trail would enhance the riverside walkway, while Kendal Civic Society chairman Dr John Satchell thought it should focus on the history of the auld grey town and not the planets.

He was keen to see events in Kendal's history such as the rise of the weaving industry, the creation of the town's yards, and the building of the castle, depicted.

The local historian particularly disliked the proposed dinosaur footprint "with its Disneyland connotations".

Kendal town clerk Hugh McClorry had told planners the content of the timeline was not a planning issue.

At this week's town council meeting, Coun Graham Vincent did not understand why the town was " so obsessed with being stuck in a narrow period".

Coun Tom Clare said there was no rush to complete the project this year, and it was important to get it right.

Coun Paul Braithwaite stressed that the idea had come from a public debate, and believed that the objections put forward were "spurious".

Describing the civic society's view of history as "parochial in the best sense of the word", Coun Charles Batteson said his "gut reaction" was to appeal against the refusal.

He did not understand why such a fuss was being made about a set of images, asking: "Are we talking about outrageous nouveau art, or high street pornography?"

Coun David Birkett felt the public was being let down because the project had not got off the ground.

Some people might think the civic society was " crusty", he said, but they were "crusty people with brains" who were able to alter views.

He suggested holding discussions with the civic society to come up with a timeline incorporating the original ideas for the plaques, and more recent local history as well.

However, councillors voted 16-6 to appeal against the refusal decision.