DRIVERS will be seeing red again on a main route in Dorset after a historic fingerpost was refurbished.

The famous Red Post on the A31 at Bloxworth which has been missing for some time is back in place after an overhaul.

Thanks to the kind generosity of Kier Highways Ltd and the guidance from the Dorset Fingerpost Project, this post has now completely refurbished back to its former glory.

In Dorset there are around 700 surviving traditional fingerposts painted black and white, and four which are red.

The Red Post at Bloxworth, below, was in need of an overhaul.

Dorset Echo:

Many stories are told about the reasons the posts are red, including to mark the route the convicts were taken along before being transported to Australia, or another theory is that they marked the locations of gibbets; many convicts were hanged before transportation if they were struggling along the way.

This Red Post at Bloxworth near Botany Bay Farm and Inn is probably the most famous fingerpost sign in the county, and an important landmark when entering and exiting Dorset from the east.

This restoration has been possible because of the Dorset Fingerpost Project, an initiative of the Dorset AONB.

It is a project that supports and guides local groups, parish councils or individuals to restore these unique posts back to their original specification, now that Dorset County Council can now longer can support the upkeep of them.

The restoration of the Red Post at Bloxworth has been done collaboratively by HM Prison Portland, Western College, Coles Castings, Roger Bond who is a volunteer from the Dorset AONB and Dorchester Men’s Shed, a 'not for profit' organisation.

It was funded by Kier, which were approached by the parish group at Bloxworth. Together they have produced 'an outstanding piece of craftsmanship'.

Katharine Wright, coordinator of the Dorset Fingerpost Project said: "To see this iconic Dorset fingerpost restored back its former glory is truly magnificent and would encourage other locals to step forward to help restore their local fingerpost to help maintain local distinctiveness."