Confusion after post boxes painted bright green over iconic red

A number of Royal Mail pillar boxes were painted bright apple-green instead of their traditional red - prompting police to be called. Zena Walker who runs a hardware store that used to be a Post Office in Yorkshire was shocked when she turned up for work on Thursday and found one of the boxes repainted next to her store.

She told Yorkshire Live: "It must have been done at some point when I left here on Wednesday at 4.30pm and when I came in at 8am on Thursday. I immediately reported it to the police as it is vandalism of the Queen's property.

"I was given a crime reference number and I want it repainted in its proper colour as soon as possible. On Thursday, it was the talk of the shop with people asking what had happened."

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A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We do not know who repainted these postboxes, and are reporting this matter to the police. We will be repainting the boxes in the iconic red as soon as possible."

Kirklees councillor Bernard McGuin said the repainted boxes had been discovered in Lepton Square, Rowley Hill and another on Station Road, Fenay Bridge. He said: "As you can see they are badly painted. Although I have Irish heritage I think the Royal Mail colours should be green. Residents consider what has been done as vandalism.

"Hopefully the boxes will be returned to the red of tradition. I hope we have an answer from Royal Mail about what is going on. As a dour Yorkshire Conservative, I miss the red ones."