Gold post box suggestion rejected by Royal Mail

A PLEA to honour Scotland’s Commonwealth Games heroes with gold post boxes in their home towns has been rejected.

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie had urged Royal Mail to recognise members of the record-breaking Team Scotland in the same way as the stars of 2012’s London Olympics.

However, Royal Mail has said it will not be considering the gesture, calling London 2012 a “unique occasion”.

The Scottish sporting stars’ collective haul of more than 40 medals at the Gold Coast is higher than at any other overseas Commonwealth Games.

Mr Hosie said: “I congratulate all of Team Scotland for their terrific, record-breaking efforts at this year’s Games and in particular Mark Stewart from Dundee, who won gold in the cycling points race.

“By awarding gold post boxes to the home towns of our gold-winning athletes we would not only recognise their superb victories but we could inspire and encourage a new generation of Scottish athletes.

“Everything points to a great f uture f or Scottish sport, especially here in Dundee with the exciting plans for the new regional performance centre.”

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said there were no plans to repeat the gold post box honour this time round.

She added: “Royal Mail extends its congratulations to all Team Scotland participants in the 2018 Games, but we will not be creating gold post boxes for the Commonwealth Games 2018.”