THE controversial “no kissing” and “kissing” signs which gained worldwide fame when they were erected at Warrington’s Bank Quay station are being auctioned in aid of Comic Relief.
Virgin Trains have posted the offer on the auction website ebay under the heading: “BUY WORLD FAMOUS 
RAILWAY SIGNS AND BENEFIT COMIC RELIEF!!!!”
The signs are described as “the best known railway signs in the world, reported across the globe from Fox News in the USA to the Hindu Times in India.”
They were erected at Bank Quay, coincidentally, on the day before St Valentine’s Day, to try and prevent amorous couples causing delays at a congested taxi rank.
But they were taken down three weeks later after a storm of protest which led to a rival rail company erecting “Kissing Welcome Here” signs at some stations.
Three old “Warrington Bank Quay” signs, replaced as part of a £1 million facelift for the station, are being offered with the kissing and no kissing zones signs.
They will come with an official letter of release from Virgin Trains – who are also offering to deliver them to any West Coast main line station for collection.
A Virgin Trains spokesman said: “These signs form a unique package of railway memorabilia. They really are the most famous railway signs in the world.
“We never intended to stop kissing at Bank Quay, but some people apparently thought there was a kissing ban.
“We are replacing them with something a bit more light hearted and clearer.”
The new signs, reading “Kiss Me Quick” and “Kiss Me Longer” will go by the taxi rank and the long stay car park.
They will be unveiled at the station on Friday (March 13) – Red Nose Day.
Kissing zones first appeared at American stations in the 1950s but the “no kissing” sign was copyrighted by the village of Deerfield, near Chicago, in 1979.
Copies were presented to Warrington as part of the link between chambers of commerce.
