AN OLD police phone box in Newport, which bears a striking resemblance to the iconic time machine seen on Doctor Who, is set for a new lease of life.

Somerton’s own answer to the TARDIS, the phone box on Acacia Avenue has looked a little worse for wear in recent years.

Long since out of service, it has remained in place – serving as a reminder of a history which predates mobile phones and mass communication.

In the 1980s, it even made national headlines, after a scarf was unofficially painted around the box – in the style of Tom Baker's iteration of The Doctor.

But, despite having being granted Grade-II listed status, the police box has been said to have 'concrete cancer' – which means that the support beams have corroded, leaking acid into the concrete, weakening it.

What’s more, it has seemingly also been the victim of vandalism, with graffiti covering it.

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However, work is soon set to be carried out to restore the box back to its former glory.

According to Newport City Council, the box will be restored and repainted – including the famous scarf.

It is not yet known when the work will be carried out.

One thing is known, as it will be more than 10 years since the police box last received any attention, when Welsh Government historic environment service Cadw awarded a grant to a local community group for restoration work.

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What has been said about the phone box restoration work?

Commenting on plans to restore the police box to its former glory, Cllr Roger Jeavons, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for city services, said: “I’m delighted that the council is able to give the former police box a new lease of life.

“Although it has been impacted by concrete cancer, the “TARDIS” – as it is known locally – is an important local feature and is regarded with great affection by residents.”

While it is the last remaining police box in Newport, in their heyday, it was by no means the only one.

Police boxes were once used by officers to phone into the station or by members of the public to contact the police.

However, improved radio infrastructure and eventually, mobile phone technology, saw these boxes confined to the history books for the most part – with two exceptions: the TARDIS as seen in Doctor Who, and Somerton’s own box, which continues to stand the test of time.