Telford vandals attack Mickey Bushell's gold post box

The post box, on Arleston Lane, Wellington, was only

.

Vandals have scratched the golden paint off so the undercoat is showing and the red paint underneath is visible in certain places.

Pete Bushell, Mickey's father from Telford, said he was disappointed to find the post box, which is close to their home, had been vandalised.

Mr Bushell said: "It's really disappointing for it to happen less than 24 hours after it was painted.

"I didn't notice it at first but quite a few people have been coming to have their pictures taken with it then I saw them taking pictures of the side and I thought it was a bit strange.

"Then when I looked I realised it was because there are scratches and gouges on the door. It looks like they've battered it with something.

"It's a real shame because I would have liked Mickey to see it all in it's full glory."

Simon Feldman, a spokesman for Royal Mail, said the post box would be repainted.

Mr Feldman said: "We are extremely disappointed that someone has chosen to vandalise the gold post box painted to recognise the gold medal winning achievement of Mickey Bushell.

"We have teams around the UK which look after and maintain our 115,000 post boxes and we will repair the damage to this box as soon as possible."

Former Lord Silken School and Telford College student Bushell will go for a second Paralympic gold tomorrow when he competes in the T53 200m.

He will race in the heats tomorrow morning with the final due to take place after 8pm. If Bushell wins a second gold,?Telford will become one of the few places outside London to be given a second gold post box.

By Jon Pritchard