Places features

The stylish slabs were part of a £4 million paving makeover designed to improve the look of Wolverhampton city centre.

Slab as it should be

In 2007, chic metal lettering spelling out the names of such locations as Dudley Street and Queen's Square was placed in trendy paving slabs.

Some of the lettering has since come unstuck, prompting speculation as to why.

Furthermore, members of the public have been finding letters around the town - and some have been handed in to the council.

Mark Bevan, from the company who manufactured the lettering, said:

"It's a little embarrassing. We've established that they were probably damp when they bonded in the factory so there was a possibility that they could come loose."

Wolverhampton City Council spokesman Tim Clark said of the lettering: "They have been coming loose since the summer and we are very grateful to members of the public who have handed them in. We contacted the firm responsible for the work and they have agreed to replace them at no cost to the taxpayer."