JUDGES rejected names including Squarey McSquareface and Dudecot before settling on 'The Core' as the name for Didcot's new town square. 

South Oxfordshire District Council and developer Hammerson reported 270 entries to their competition to name the square, part of the expanded Orchard Centre. 

Continuing the apple theme for the site of the old orchard, 14 people suggested the name 'The Core', making it the most popular option put forward. 

One of the group who suggested the winning name, Candice Gray, who lives in Culham, was selected at random as the winner, and receives a £100 voucher.

She said: “I am delighted to have won, I cannot believe it. 

"My Mum told me I should enter the competition, but I never thought I would actually win it. 

"As a thank you, I plan to share the prize with my Mum.”

Other popular suggestions were connected to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the power station and various historical names such as Dudecot and Dida.

But pranksters carried on the now proud tradition of chucking in a few comedy suggestions, following the precedent set by Boaty McBoatface famously winning a public vote to name a new boat in 2016. 

The council said the name Squarey McSquare Face was put forward 'more than once'.

Councillors Bill Service and Jackie Billington made the final decision, along with Andrew Berger-North, UK Director of Retail Parks for Hammerson.

Bill Service said: “We were delighted with the amount of imaginative and well thought through entries we received for this unique competition. 

"The final decision was not an easy one to make and we look forward to this being proudly displayed in the town centre for many years to come."

The new square is located between Costa Coffee and the restaurants at the end of the pedestrian walkway to the Broadway.