A postbox in Bristol which is due to be removed by Royal Mail has been turned into a shrine by residents mourning its impending loss.
People living in the area saddened to see it go have wrapped it in imitation flowers, vines and leaves, with a bunch of fake red roses and a crucifix on top Photo: SWNS
Poems, flowers and "rest in peace" messages have been attached to the red and black pillarbox in Bedminster, Bristol.
People living in the area saddened to see it go have wrapped it in imitation flowers, vines and leaves, with a bunch of fake red roses and a crucifix on top.
A note inviting passers-by to leave their own farewell messages has been attached, along with a passage from a WH Auden poem, A Postman's Knock.
It said: "And no-one will hear the postman's knock/Without a quickening of the heart. For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?"
The mourner is a mystery but residents say a ceremony was carried out on Sunday night with people chanting and dancing around the postbox.
The Royal Mail is removing the box because it is out of use after repeated attacks by vandals.
Royal Mail said it was "very unusual" to remove a postbox from normal service after vandals broke its door. A spokesman said: "The postbox has been repeatedly vandalised and we are taking the very unusual step of removing it to ensure our customers' mail is not at risk.
"There are at least two other boxes about 200 yards away which we hope will be convenient for customers."
Royal Mail said there are more than 116,000 Royal Mail post boxes, a figure which has remained broadly static despite falls in the amount of mail being sent because of the popularity of email.