Mayor sells Rue Johnny Hallyday signs to deter thieves

The mayor of the only town in France to have named a street after Johnny Hallyday is selling specially made street signs to prevent grieving fans making off with the keepsakes of their favourite singer.

Gérard Dézempte, who has been mayor of the Isère town of Charvieu-Chavagneux for 35 years, said the signs had been a target for light-fingered fans since the singer's death on December 6.

With just four replacement signs left in stock following a spate of thefts, he decided to put freshly made signs up for sale at a cost price of €95, including delivery.

He said that he had received more than 600 orders from across France, as well as Belgium, Switzerland and Italy, in 11 days after making the announcement.

While he expects to make no money from the sale of the signs, he said that any profits would be ploughed into the town's community centre.

Fans who have ordered a sign can expect to receive their souvenirs around February 15, 2018. In the meantime, the signs on the street have been temporarily removed 'until the fever subsides', and replaced by engraved rocks weighing more than 600kg that the mayor hopes will be too heavy for would-be thieves to take.