Ross and the Wrongen's van with the controversial logo, also below

by Thom Morris

A band has been ordered by Royal Mail to change their logo and ditch their merchandise because it would "confuse the public".

Ross and the Wrongens have been gigging around the county in a beaten-up old Royal Mail van.

They have used a logo similar to the one used by Royal Mail - with altered words and image - to promote the group.

Frontman Ross Purchase, who lives in Gravesend, said: "At the end of June we received an email demanding we remove the band logo from the van and send every last bit of merchandise displaying the band logo to Royal Mail, where it will most likely be destroyed.

"We’ve even been threatened with a court case which, against one of the world’s largest and longest running postal services, a group of unsigned musicians trying to make a living cannot exactly afford."

Merchandising expected to be returned includes T-shirts, badges, a bottle opener, a mug and fridge magnets.

Royal Mail argued the similarity will cause "confusion in the minds of the public".

Ross and the Wrongens – which include Sam Cox on drums, Billy Jupp on guitar and Nils O’Hara on bass – disagree.

Ross, a former Thamesview School pupil who plays guitar and keyboards and sings, said: "We’ve used this logo for three years and it has become a very big part of the band.

"The logo was never designed to mock Royal Mail or cause confusion among the public. It’s unfortunate that this kind of pressure has been put on the band given the distinct differences between the band logo and the logo produced by Royal Mail."

Gravesend-based band Ross and the Wrongens

Ross felt things could have been sorted out more amicably.

He said: "We’ve worked very hard over the past few years to build up a good reputation and fan base, and this logo has been a big contributor to that.

"There has been no intention from the start to associate this band with Royal Mail and the band is very supportive of Royal Mail; in fact we post letters on a regular basis."

Royal Mail has not responded to requests for comment.