FOUR decades ago work began on one of the most distinctive modern buildings in Colchester.

The Octagon building, as it is now known, began life in 1978 and was originally known as Royal London House, home to Royal London Insurance which had it built for its headquarters.

It was built on the site of the former cattle market and the design, with eight sides and turrets, was modelled on a castle in keeping with the town’s heritage.

It was re-named in 2003 when Royal London left it and divided into office space for a number of different businesses.

Heritage also came to the fore when a Roman mosaic – now known as the Middleborough Mosaic – was uncovered during early construction work and later put on display at Colchester Castle.

The artwork, which dates back to AD 175, is one of the finest Roman mosaics ever found.

With its intricate detail showing sea beasts and birds, it was a status symbol of its time and would originally have been a focal piece in a large Roman house.

For years, Middleborough was home to a bustling cattle market, which flourished thanks to the close proximity of the railway. It was also home to an auction market, which was set up close to the river in North Station Road.

In 1981, the auction market closed. Run by Watson’s auctioneers, it was the last reminder of the hectic Saturday mornings in the Middleborough area, before the main cattle market moved to its site in Severalls Lane.

Middleborough continues to be a thriving area of town, with hundreds of office workers based the Octagon,