IN HONOUR of armed forces members who have died in the line of duty, two postboxes in Upton have received very special makeovers in time for Remembrance Day.

One postbox outside of the Co-Op on Poole Road has been decorated with a range of red poppies, a symbol that has been synonymous with the act of remembrance since after Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.

The second postbox topper is understated and poignant, it depicts a saluting soldier wearing a poppy with another poppy at his feet and pays homage to those who lost their lives to defend our country.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Over the years we have enjoyed seeing the various post box toppers that different groups have showcased in local communities across the UK. We first began to see these toppers in 2012 over the festive season, although this soon spread to other key times of the year.

“More recently, we have noticed decorations celebrating various frontline workers during the pandemic - including postal workers.

“Royal Mail's iconic postboxes are a treasured part of local communities around the country. For those who enjoy crocheting, knitting and decorating our post boxes, we generally advise them to ensure that the decoration doesn't cause any safety concerns.

“Care should also be taken to ensure the toppers do not obstruct other customers from posting items or our postmen and postwomen from collecting mail.

READ MORE: 'Best dressed postbox in Britain' gets Halloween makeover

“We appreciate local people’s passion in Upton for creating these works of art and value their interest in Royal Mail."​

The stunning postbox toppers come alongside a number of moments of respect paid to the fallen, including a cascading river of crocheted poppies being displayed at Brockenhurst Church.

The village of Upton is home to nine postboxes, all but two have been decorated with exquisitely knitted and crocheted toppers.

There are also an array of knitted and crocheted poppies and ladybirds scattered at landmarks across the village, though the makers behind these lovely gestures are often secretive and prefer to remain anonymous.