Calls for Skegness to pension off its century-old Jolly Fisherman mascot in favour of an "animal-friendly" replacement have been rubbished by local councillors.
Animal rights group Peta is calling on the mayor of the Lincolnshire resort to ditch the well-loved promotional figure as a "message of compassion" to potential holiday-makers.
In a letter to the mayor, Peta said the town should be remembered for fun seaside holidays rather than the "violent occupation" of its mascot.
But civic leaders in the resort have said they are bewildered and angry at the calls for Jolly be replaced by a leaping fish and the slogan "Skegness - A Happy Plaice."
Councillor John Byford said: "It is absolute nonsense. They have every right to get their message across but they shouldn't be using Jolly.
"A fish comes with a plateful of chips in Skegness, as well as mushy peas."
Former Skegness mayor George Saxon described the demand for change as "ridiculous" in light of the fact that Jolly had been used to promote the town since featuring on a poster in 1908.
After reading about Peta's letter on a newspaper website, Mr Saxon, 69, who served as mayor last year, wrote on Facebook: "What a load of b******s."
He added: "You can't replace Jolly, people have tried in the past to change him and we won't stand for it.
"The best place for fish is on a plate here in Skegness."