Creative Rainham residents helped design a traditional village sign for their town.

The bespoke plaque, made by an expert craftsman, has been installed by Havering Council at the roundabout at the junction of Bridge Road and Viking Way.

It features an old Thames barge with distinctive red sails travelling on the nearby river.

A farmer with a horse-drawn plough is shown working in fields with the village church in the background.

The initial idea came from resident Coral Jeffrey, a representative of Rainham Preservation Society.

Residents also worked with the council on what images and themes should be passed onto the craftsman who designed the sign.

Cllr Michael Armstrong, cabinet member with responsibility for the Rainham Compass regeneration project, said: “The sign is wonderful. It really reinforces the village status of Rainham and is another landmark in our regeneration for the area as a whole. It is a really fitting gateway to this unique village.”

Cllr Andrew Curtin, cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, added: “I love the way the sign reflects not just the traditional aspect of the village but also the natural environment of the nearby Thames.”