Mystery River Thames letterbox to be removed

A letterbox that mysteriously appeared in the middle of a bridge is to be removed as it breaks planning laws.

The box was placed on a buttress on the downstream side of Sonning Bridge, which crosses the River Thames in Sonning, Berkshire.

Entertainer and resident Uri Geller and other villagers said they were bemused by its appearance, although many think it was put up as a piece of art.

Ward councillor Mike Haines said it would have to come down.

'Child ghost'

The bridge has Grade II status which means any alterations must be agreed with Wokingham Borough Council as the planning authority.

A postbox fascia appeared on the Bull Inn earlier this year

Mr Haines said: "It's been done very nicely, it is not graffiti. I can see the sense of fun of it but there is a concern as it is a listed structure.

"I will talk to the planning department and it will be taken down.

"I'm aware it's bringing a lot of attention [but] it's probably been up for long enough."

It is thought the letterbox was put on the bridge several weeks ago.

A postbox fascia was placed high on an outside wall of the Bull Inn in the village earlier this year but has since been removed, with staff believing it was moved to the bridge.

Mr Geller, who has lived in the village for 33 years, said he had "never seen anything like it".

He said it may have been put there by the "ghost of a mischievous little girl" who has been sighted walking on the bridge.

Royal Mail confirmed the postbox frontage was not one of its facilities.