THAT most British of symbols, the traditional red telephone kiosk, will soon be taking pride of place in a French park thanks to the efforts of Stourport-on-Severn Mayor Stephen Clee.

The re-conditioned box is to be shipped to Villeneuve-le-Roi, Stourport's twin town, and will stand in the Stourport-on-Severn gardens there.

It will feature an engraved panel of glass in its door with the Stourport coat of arms and the coat of arms of the French riverside town on another panel.

The symbol of cross-channel goodwill has come about after negotiations between Didier Gonzales, the new Mayor of Villeneuve-le-Roi, for their carnival weekend.

"I mentioned how good it would be to see a British kiosk in the town and Didier thought it was a wonderful idea."

Once back in England Mr Clee looked around for one of the boxes and found one at a Gloucestershire restoration company, which will restore it and engrave the panels ready for it to be shipped out at the end of the month.

He said the idea had been for the two councils to jointly foot the £3,700 cost of the box and shipping.

The Villeneuve-le-Roi council, however, has now offered to pay most of the cost, although Mr Clee said the town council would pay for the engraving.