You either love it or loathe it.

The angular Olympics logo has caused such a stink that everyone is talking about it.

Based on the date 2012, the £400,000 logo comes in different shades of bright colours and is "due to evolve" in the run-up to the Games.

Politicians and artists are among the harshest critics.

Even students believe they can do better and are currently working on their own redesign for the London Olympics.

Alan Smith, head of the Colchester School of Art and Design, said the logo was "clumsy and crude".

He said: "They've attempted to base it on graffiti in an attempt to appeal to youth culture. It's awful.

"They got a company to charge an extortionate amount of money when theycould have made it into a competition involving art and design students across the country.

"Students would have entered just for the prestige."

Colchester mayor Ray Gamble told the Gazette the £400,000 logo was "slightly embarrassing".

"My personal opinion is that it doesn't do the London Olympics proud," he said. "I have seen some others which I like a lot better."

Colchester MP Bob Russell is among MPs who signed a series of motions in Parliament yesterday attacking the logo and asking for a rethink.