STREETS in Fife will no longer be named after famous faces over fears they could damage an area's reputation in years to come.

Street names such as Selkirk Avenue and Dryburgh Place, in Lochgelly, will not occur as these two were named after long serving politicians in these towns.

Fife Council have changed their policy on naming roads in the Kingdom which will now no longer see local celebrities honoured with a street named after them.

It has been suggested that plaques are a more suitable form of commemoration.

A report from the local authority said: "It is impossible to predict the future actions of an individual therefore naming a street after a living person will always have the potential to cause reputational damage to Fife Council."

Lochgelly legend Jim Leishman MBE was celebrated in 2008 for his voluntary work with young people in Abbeyview in Dunfermline and services to the people of the Auld Grey Toun.

The ribbon was cut on Leishman Drive ten years ago after residents and councillors in the area suggested that the current Fife Provost should be honoured by the council.

However, under the new policy, the suggested name would have been thrown out.

People who have passed away in the past five years will also not be considered under new changes.

The report added: "National cases where a street has been named to commemorate a person who has subsequently fallen from grace have highlighted the reputational damage this can have on an area.

"In such cases where a street is to be renamed this impacts greatly on residents forced to amend their address details.

"A defined duration of five years following death of a person removes any ambiguity created from the current statement of 'recently deceased'.

"The wording of the policy has been revised to be more robust to discourage naming streets after living persons in favour of alternative methods."

Fife Council is responsible for the naming of streets and numbering of properties.