THE march of technology has made the original use of the red telephone box virtually redundant – and many communities have come up with new purposes for the much-loved icons.

But Woolaston has come up with what may be a first – convert the village box into a shower.

The idea came up in a survey of villagers who clearly wanted something more individual than a boring old planter.

So on Saturday a long queue – that certainly outstripped expectations – formed to try out the new facility.

Speaking on Saturday – and the date of April 1 may be significant – one user described it as “chilly but worth the wait.”

The organisers of the restoration have been raising funds for about nine months and April 1 saw the culmination of their efforts when they reached their target with a Big Lottery grant of about £1800 matching what they had been able to achieve themselves.

“The work is about to start” said Sue Anderson. “We have arranged for Mark Brice, who lives locally, to sand blast and prime it for M R Builders to repair the door and for our volunteers to paint and assist with the work.

“It’ll soon be back to its former glory and be a wonderful period icon in the centre of the village.”