COUNCIL officers are often attacked for the use of local government gobbledegook, but the 'U decide' leaflet on West Devon's mayoral referendum has come under fire — for being too modern.
The 'U' in the title slips into the shorthand text-message style of language.
Borough chief executive David Incoll said it was decided to use the modern style after looking at examples used by councils across the country.
'The feedback was that using that style reached a wider readership than would have otherwise been the case.'
Mr Incoll said the text-message style had attracted the interest of younger people.
'It has been a talking point so that itself creates interest,' he said.
But the modern style prompted some residents to contact the council complaining the usage was setting a bad example to young people.
Mr Incoll admitted there had been 'expressions of surprise' from some people who would prefer to see 'the Queen's English' used.
'I can understand that,' he said.