THE makers of Colchester's Monopoly board have announced the first town landmark to be awarded its own square.

Colchester Zoo is set to take over from Old Kent Road in the town's edition of the game.

The board game’s makers ran a competition earlier this year for a town to have a new board made in its honour - and Colchester won.

It then asked the public to suggest landmarks for spaces and an official announcement is expected to be made after public polls close tomorrow.

Between now and October spaces will begin to be allocated including famous Colchester landmarks.

Charities and other organisations will also be selected for the Community Chest cards.

Emma Ludwick, custom games executive at the board’s makers, Winning Moves UK, said: “The zoo will be sounded out for Old Kent Road not just because it’s the first place you see as you come into Colchester and Old Kent Road is the first square on the board.

“But also the colour is brown and there’s a lot of earthy brown at the Zoo.

“We are looking to apply some logic to the board so Jumbo could be heading for Water Works, a shopping centre for Oxford Street and the Town Hall for Whitehall.”

The Gazette also looks set for the Fleet Street property.

It is hoped the board will be ready and on the shelves by Christmas.