Solar postbox 'puts yarn bombing tradition at risk'

The Titchfield postbox has been continuously covered for several years

An MP has vowed to fight to save a village's long-running tradition of elaborate woolly postbox toppers.

The pillar box outside Titchfield post office in Hampshire is one of thousands due to be converted to solar power across the UK, rendering them unsuitable for knitted adornments.

Paul Holmes, Conservative MP for Hamble Valley, said the village had a "rich history of being yarn bombed" and the box should be reprieved.

Royal Mail said many old postboxes would remain, and the converted ones, with a drawer for small parcels, had been "carefully designed".

The new postboxes have a solar panel on top

Suzy Jackson, from Titchfield Yarn Bombers, said the postbox had been continuously covered since "well before Covid" and the group's designs had "worldwide renown".

She said she hoped the firm would at least keep the latest Christmas creation, which features knitted gingerbread and frolicking elves.

Royal Mail announced plans in August for 3,500 of the new models, which can take parcels up to the size of a shoebox for the first time.

The solar panels, which would be covered by toppers, power a label scanner.

Mr Holmes said he had been approached by many concerned constituents.

Posting on Facebook, he said: "I have been in contact with the Royal Mail, pleading for a reprieve for the postbox outside of the post office.

"Titchfield has a rich history of being yarn bombed, particularly for special events and I am keen to keep this tradition."

One Facebook user commented: "Royal Mail is struggling in the face of competition from other delivery companies.

"I welcome the change after standing in the queue at Hedge End post office on Monday for 30 minutes."

In a letter to Mr Holmes, the Royal Mail said it was sorry for the concern, but postboxes remained the firm's property.

It told the BBC: "With 115,000 postboxes across the UK, there are plenty that remain unaltered and that will remain the case in the future."