A POSTBOX is about to have a very romantic makeover.

The Cockermouth postbox is set to be decorated with quotes from poems, with pictures also included in the collage, to celebrate the release of a new collection of stamps themed on romantic poets.

Royal Mail has applied to Allerdale Council for permission to advertise the new stamps on its cast iron box on Main Street.

And with only three postboxes in the UK due to be decorated, in Cockermouth, Edinburgh and Bristol, people of the town are excited for the makeover.

Mayor of Cockermouth, Councillor Julie Laidlow said: “I think it’s lovely.

“I don’t think it’s a problem at all – it’ll really brighten to the town and will make a difference to the usual red boxes about.”

She added: “It’ll make a really nice little feature in town.”

Councillor Alan Kennan shared his fellow councillor’s thoughts, and said: “I think it’s a really good idea.

“It’ll be something different for the town, and will attract some good attention, and it’ll definitely brighten things up.”

A part of a William Wordsworth poem will feature on one of the new stamps, which are set to be released in April, with the postbox decorated for around three months in celebration.

The historic town was chosen as one of the select few to have a box decorated as it is where Wordsworth was born 250 years ago, on April 7, 1770.

And along with his town-centre home, which is now owned by the National Trust and open six days a week to visitors, the decorated postbox and new stamp will continue to make the town proud of the West Cumbrian poet.

Interpretation and communications manager of Wordsworth House, Alex Morgan said: "We were absolutely thrilled to hear that Royal Mail are looking to put some of Wordsworth's poetry on a stamp.

"It's a really lovely way to commemorate him, especially in the 250th year since his birth."

She added: "It's important to remember him particularly this year because it's the 125th year of the National Trust and conservation movements, which he really popularised with his poetry."

Wordsworth House will be hosting a "major exhibition" next month, celebrating all-things-Wordsworth.