The most famous lamppost in Cambridge will be restored to its former glory and will once again shine light at the heart of Parker’s Piece. The existing paintwork is being stripped back and the lamppost will return to its original colours of moss green, red, white and gold.

The City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council have agreed work will see the lamp post returned to its former colours, highlighting many of the distinguishing features that make Reality Checkpoint so special.

Reality Checkpoint is believed to date from around 1860 and is said to be the oldest remaining electrical lamppost in the city. It is a unique design which is Grade II listed, and decorated with four intertwined 'dolphins' on the column and topped with four lamps.

One of the theories as to the meaning of the name is that it may mark the boundary between the central university area of Cambridge and the 'real world' of non-academic locals living beyond.