A TELEPHONE box in Worcester has been listed by English Heritage.

The kiosk, on the platform of Worcester’s Shrub Hill railway station, is a K8 design, which first appeared on Britain’s streets in 1968.

A total of 11,000 were produced, but only a dozen originals still exist, including the one at Shrub Hill Station.

Conservation campaigners described the Grade II kiosk as one of the best preserved examples.

Jon Wright, senior caseworker for the Twentieth Century Society, said: “You just to think about how the early examples of public phoneboxes are now regarded to understand how important the K8 will be in the future.

“It was the last red phone box Britain ever produced. At one point there were 11,000 across the UK. But they were the first to be pulled out when mobile phones were becoming popular.”

It is estimated that there are now fewer than 20 originals – probably just a dozen – left in public places. The kiosk at Shrub Hill is the only example known to be in Worcestershire.

“We put a number of them forward to be listed, but Worcester is the first to be accepted,” said Mr Wright.

“It’s in very good condition. It’s been looked after.”

The K8 kiosk, made of cast iron with glazed glass sides, was designed by architect Bruce Martin.

While the design lacks the ageless appeal of the Scott designs for K2s and K6s, the K8 is considered a contemporary response and, with the passage of time and popularity of 1960s styles, is a classic in its own right.

“There’s something rather charming about them,” said Mr Wright.

The society has set up a website to trace the remaining examples and is now working on getting the remaining originals listed status. For more visit c20society.org.uk.