“WATERLOOD of rubbish” is the message from residents furious at suggestions to change historic place names to avoid offending our European friends.

Ex-servicemen have reacted with horror at the proposal by the chief of the European Investment Fund Francis Carpenter.

Writing in the French newspaper Le Figaro, Mr Carpenter said places such as Waterloo station, Trafalgar Square and the Churchill Theatre should be renamed.

Acting chairman of the Royal British Legion’s Chislehurst branch Charlie Carter, 83, says he has never heard such a bad suggestion.

The former Rifle Brigade soldier said: “It’s a bloody awful idea and it wouldn’t go down well with any of the ex-servicemen or the boys serving. It’s a joke. History is what makes a country.

“It’s been said before. They don’t like it up ’em and if they try to change anything like that, we’ll oppose it. They can stuff it.” The grandfather-of-nine added he would consider leaving the country if it became reality. I’m 83 but I suppose I could live with my pals in Australia. This country has got too liberal. You wonder what the boys all died for,” he said.

The Churchill Theatre was named in memory of Sir Winston Churchill in 1972 after a vote by Bromley councillors.

He was made an honorary Freeman of Beckenham and, as leader of the country during the Second World War, his name will always be associated with RAF Biggin Hill, when he said after the Battle of Britain: “Never, in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few.” The European Commission distanced itself from the comments made by 60-year-old Briton Mr Carpenter, who has a French wife and works for a Luxembourg-based bank which provides loans for EU projects. A spokesman said: “We don’t have the power to tell anybody to change place names, nor should we.” What do you think? Write to News Shopper, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT or email newsroom @london.newsquest.co.uk