NEW signs welcoming people to the borough are to be installed at a number of key locations in Colchester.

Designed as part of Gerard Oxford's mayoral legacy, the signs state the fact the town was Britain's First City, and will be unveiled over the coming weeks.

The tagline has been used for some time by Destination Colchester and historians and Mr Oxford took on the project to raise awareness of what many consider a historical fact.

The use of the term by Destination Colchester, local historians and the former Mayor for his welcome signs project prompted a call for heritage task and finish group to look into changing the strapline for the town.

Britain's First City has now officially been adopted as the tagline for Colchester following cabinet approval.

Mr Oxford said: "During my mayoralty I came up with this project supported by local historians and Sir Bob Russell, the High Steward.

"I took my project to the cabinet who liked it and agreed to support it. I am delighted because so many people don’t realise Colchester is Britain’s first city and the former capital.”

The signs will be installed in Bromley Road, Ipswich Road, Via Urbis Romanae, Nayland Road, Parsons Heath, Spring Lane and St Andrews Avenue.

Colchester was established as the first Roman colony in then new province of Britain in about 49 AD and Philip Crummy's book City of Victory states this give the town a claim as Britain's 1st City.