PLANS for a plaque on a bench in memory of a popular Haddington businessman have been temporarily shelved after the bench was taken away.

A suggestion was made at the town’s community council meeting last Tuesday that a bench, on High Street, could have a plaque added in memory of Dino Pacitti, who ran Dino’s takeaway.

But East Lothian Council confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that the bench had been removed because of concerns of anti-social behaviour in the area.

Dad-of-two Dino died suddenly in August, just days after returning from a holiday in his native Italy.

Hundreds gathered on the street a few days later, with town residents joined by about 150 bikers in the town to pay their respects.

Calum Learmonth, head pupil at Knox Academy, told members of the town’s community council about the idea of adding a plaque to the bench, which was on the opposite side of the road from the business.

He said: “I have plans to get a memorial plaque put on that bench. I spoke to the family and they said they would be fine with it.

“Dino was a big member of our community. Probably all of us have been in Dino’s at least once in our life.”

Calum came up with the idea before discussing it with the school’s leadership team with a view to taking it forward. Originally, it was simply going to be a plaque in the area recognising Dino’s contribution but it was decided to put that on the bench.

Calum said: “We thought about the amount of people that had sat on the bench and eaten their chippy there.”

The memorial in August saw a huge turnout on the street, with Dino’s son, Tino, and daughter, Domenica, joined by his wife, Angela, outside the takeaway where his dad worked since 1989.

The bikers did a lap of honour in Haddington town centre in memory of Dino, who died of cardiomegaly, or abnormal enlargement of the heart.

Tino, who described his dad as his “best friend”, felt the memorial plaque on the bench would be a nice touch. He added: “I would be delighted with that. It would mean there is always something there to remember him and that would be lovely.

“Calum came into the shop and spoke to me about it and it was a really nice thought.”