MARLOW'S High Steet post box will this morning be painted gold to celebrate paralympian Naomi Riches’ success.

A campaign for Royal Mail to turn it from red to gold to honour Sir Steve Redgrave failed but now townsfolk are getting their wish after all.

Painters are arriving at 10am to given the golden makeover, which has been awarded to the home towns of all British London 2012 gold medal winners.

Naomi, who trains at Marlow Rowing Club, triumphed in the Paralympics rowing: Mixed Coxed Four - LTAMix4+ final.

Although Olympic gold winning rower Katharine Grainger has Marlow links she selected her home town of Aberdeen for the Royal Mail memento.

A petition was launched online for Marlow to get a gold post box as a way of marking the town's contribution to rowing success over the years, primarily via Sir Steve, who has five gold medals.

Royal Mail said it would only be painting post boxes gold for 2012 winners but this weekend's paralympic success has made campaigners' day.

About 350 people signed up to the petition during the Olympics for Marlow to have its post box painted gold.

Dave Hampton, a leading figure in the campaign who used to row for Britian himself, said: “This hasn't come about even indirectly as a result of the campaign.

“The campaign can take absolutely zero credit on that, it's entirely down to Naomi Riches' victory and her hard work.”

Mr Hampton, an environmental campaigner and a presenter on Marlow FM, witnessed her victory at Dorney Lake.

“The atmosphere was fantastic, it was the last race of the day so ended on a high note,” he said.

“It's a shame Royal Mail didn't see the logic in our campaign but it's history now and Marlow has got one, so I'm a happy bunny.”

Mr Hampton thanked everyone who joined the campaign and said although he believes Marlow Bottom deserves a golden post box to honour Sir Steve's achievements he would not personally be campaigning any further.

Individual first class stamps featuring Naomi’s image are also being produced.

And Mr Hampton said he would definitely be buying the new stamps with Marlow's latest gold medal winner on – adding to the full set he has already purchased.

The stamps will be on sale in around 500 dedicated Post Offices across the UK from Tuesday.

The gold medal stamps will be presented for purchase as a sheet of two First Class stamps for £1.20. The sheet carries additional information on the winning athlete or athletes.