'Smurf Village' Residents Vote to Keep Their Homes Blue

Citizens in the Spanish town of Juzcar have decided they should remain blue after going to the polls to settle the matter.

Juzcar was painted blue six months ago when it was chosen as the set for The Smurfs 3D, becoming the world's first official Smurf Village. Although the film maker, Sony, had promised to return the hillside village to its original state but locals have realised the benefits of being blue -- namely a huge boost to local tourism.


According to a report some 80,000 people are estimated to have visited "Smurftown" since its makeover and mayor David Fernandez, nicknamed "Papa Smurf", says he can see many benefits to being blue.

"It's given a boost to the local economy, it's increased our happiness, our dreams and our levels of employment," he told Spanish media.