September 7, 2012 3.51 pm This story is over 137 months old

Lincoln postbox goes gold for Sophie Wells

Golden girl: A postbox in Lincoln has been painted gold due to Sophie Wells’ victory at the Paralympics.

A postbox in uphill Lincoln has been given a fresh layer of paint, but not its usual bright red — this one is gold.

The gold postbox on Exchequergate, outside the Magna Carta, celebrates Paralympic dressage rider Sophie Wells’ gold victory last weekend.

The equestrian star, who was born and studies in Lincoln, won team gold plus two individual silver medals on her horse Pinocchio (nicknamed Noki).

The Royal Mail postbox was personally chosen by the rider, who currently lives in the Harby area.

Wells, who suffers from Amniotic Band Syndrome, is studying Sports Development at the University of Lincoln, however she postponed the course in order to compete in the Paralympics.

The postbox took around four hours to complete, with crowds gathering and cheering to see the first coat of gold paint get added (after a base coat).

It is believed the box will stay gold for at least 6 weeks, after which Royal Mail will decide if the box should be kept for longer.

During the Olympics, Royal Mail vowed to paint a postbox gold for every gold medal winner in their hometown, in addition to a special set of stamps.

You can find other postboxes painted gold in the UK on a postbox finder website.