A TATTOO parlour has been thanked by residents in a Colchester village after saving the day after yobs damaged an old phone box.

The community book swap inside an old phone box next to Alresford Train Station was damaged in November last year.

A glass panel was shattered and the phone box was temporarily fixed with plastic.

Owners of the Flaming Gun Tattoo Studio in Church Walk, in Colchester, spotted the damaged phone box while walking in the area.

Gazette: Engraved - the Perspex sheet engraved for the book swapEngraved - the Perspex sheet engraved for the book swap (Image: Julie and Kai Edwards)

Julie and Kai Edwards said they were “upset these naughty vandals would damage something that’s bringing joy to the village.”

Having just taken down the last of their Perspex, used as a separation during Covid, they thought it would be the perfect thickness to replace the glass.

After speaking to councillor Frank Belgrave, Kai cut the Perspex to size and engraved it by hand.

Gazette: Excited - Julie and Kai Edwards with the new book swap screenExcited - Julie and Kai Edwards with the new book swap screen (Image: Julie and Kai Edwards)

Julie and Kai said: “All the Alresford volunteers’ group have contacted us with a lovely thank you card, Martine, Sharon, Loraine, Rodger and Cherry do a wonderful service to the community with all the hard work they put in.

“Hopefully the future plans of turning the old Station house into a community hub will all come together, and add to this wonderful Alresford community spirit.”