A PUB sign hanging outside the Milk Churn in Melksham has been voted the most attractive in the country.

The hand-painted pictorial sign, which reflects the town’s dairy farming heritage and shows a sign painter decorating a milk churn, was chosen as the best of 2014 by the Inn Sign Society.

The sign also shows a Spitfire in the background as the pub in Commerce Way is opposite the former RAF base. Neighbouring Trow-bridge was also a centre for aircraft production during the war.

The sign was nominated by Inn Sign Society member Angela Panrucker. The group, founded 25 years ago, is made up of more than 300 members who travel all over the country seeking out traditional signs, which were originally created for people who could not read.

The society also recognised that the Milk Churn, part of the Hall & Woodhouse chain, only opened last year, while public houses across the country are closing.

Hand-painted pictorial inn signs are a dying art because computerised signs are used instead.

Last Thursday awards were presented by members of the Inn Sign Society to Jonathan Corp the pub’s regional manager, artist Phil Taylor, 64, from Lemington Spa, and company Morgan Signs & Design which came up with the original sketch.

It is the second time a Wiltshire pub has won the award. In 2009 The Poplars in Wingfield, Trowbridge, took the top prize.

The other side of the Milk Churn’s sign also tells a story. It was painted by 95-year-old Victor Steel, from Rumsley, after he won a competition at Dorset Arts Festival.

Mr Steel used to live and work on a farm in Melksham which was the inspiration for his design.