A classic red phone box on the Tyne and Wear Metro network looks set to be restored to its former glory.
The Grade II-listed kiosk at Whitley Bay Metro station, which was put up as part of an experiment to replace post offices in the 1920s, is to be restored by a community group.
The Whitley Bay Big Local has adopted the historic piece of street furniture, which stands just outside the Metro station.
The kiosk was one of only 50 of its kind when it was unveiled in 1928.
Known as a K4 (kiosk number four) it acted simultaneously as a public telephone, post box and stamp dispenser, but over the decades it has fallen foul to vandalism.
A community group has been granted permission to bring it back to life.
Just a few dozen of the experimental K4 kiosks were built but they proved unpopular and over the years most were removed and placed in museums.
The majority of the phone boxes were withdrawn in 1935.
Over the decades the three-in-one unit, which bears the cypher of King George V, has become worse for wear and targeted by vandals.
Community Engagement Manager at Whitley Bay Big Local, Sarah Sutton, said: "The plans are to refurbish it to how it would have been in 1928 and to become a museum piece involving locals.
"It is all about preserving not just the heritage of this site but also the whole history.
"We want people to get posting again. Lots of young people don't use postal systems anymore."
Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “This classic red phone box is an iconic feature at our Metro station in Whitley Bay. It’s fantastic to see the local community getting together to restore the kiosk to its former glory.
“It’s an historic piece of street furniture, Grade II listed and a quintessentially British structure, which is quite rightly being preserved.
“We are looking forward to seeing this project make progress and wish the team Whitley Bay local every success with it.”
There is a hope it will encourage pen-pals among local schoolchildren in communities with other K4s.
The group is now looking to secure funding to get its plan off the ground after receiving permission for the upgrade.