An MP has written to the Royal Mail to ask the company to extend its post box painting scheme for Olympic gold medal winners after triple success in his constituency.
Currently, the Royal Mail is painting one post box gold in the hometown of each gold-winning athlete from London 2012, including one in Horsforth , the hometown of men’s triathlon winner Alistair Brownlee, who now lives in Bramhope.
But after his brother, Jonny, who also lives in Bramhope, won bronze in the same event, and Lizzie Armitstead, from Otley , claimed silver in the women’s cycling road race, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland wants to see more painted post boxes.
He wants Royal Mail to roll out this tribute to those who achieve silver and bronze in the Games and has now written to them.
“The decision by Royal Mail to recognise the efforts of team GB’s gold medal winners by painting post-boxes in their hometowns is a fantastic tribute to their success and the dedication that goes into achieving what all these amazing gold medal winning athletes have accomplished,” said Mr Mulholland.
“It also seems right that athletes who go on to achieve the similarly incredible feat of silver or bronze should have their incredible efforts recognised in this way.
“Not only would this be a fitting tribute, but it would, in line with the thrust of London 2012, ensure that more people would see them and hopefully inspire more young athletes to take up the sport.
“As an MP who has been fortunate enough to see constituents win gold, silver and bronze in these Games, I would be delighted at the prospect of having post-boxes in the constituency painted in the corresponding colours.”
The post box in honour of Alistair Brownlee is in New Road Side, Horsforth.
However, a Royal Mail spokesman said there was no intention to change its golden scheme.
Meanwhile, people living in Bramhope, where the Brownlees have lived for the last three years, hope they can also get a golden post box Kate Fraser, clerk to Bramhope and Carlton Parish Council, said: “We were disappointed to hear that the gold post box is to be in Horsforth. Perhaps it would be nice to have two boxes.
“There is one just opposite where they live in Bramhope.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article