A POSTBOX in Basildon should be painted gold as a permanent reminder of gymnast Max Whitlock's incredible Olympic success, councillors believe.

The quirky suggestion comes after more than 100 red postboxes were painted gold by Royal Mail to celebrate every Team GB and Paralympics GB gold medal won during the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Essex County councillor Jamie Huntman believes Max Whitlock deserves a similar golden tribute.

Mr Huntman, who is also Deputy Group Leader of UKIP at Essex County Council, said: "It's completely unprecedented that Max did so well in the Olympics and I think Essex should be very proud.

"After the 2012 games postboxes were painted gold and I think this was a wonderful way to celebrate and commemorate the wonderful achievements of our sportsmen and women.

"Max did fantastically well with his two gold medals; he is a real inspiration and should be celebrated as such."

Max, 23, who lives in Basildon with his fiancée Leah Hickton, 24, became Team GB's first all-round men's gymnastics medallist since Walter Tysall 108 years earlier by winning a bronze medal on the individual all-around event.

The gymnast, who trained at the Basildon Sporting Village, then followed up that success by becoming the first British male to win an Olympic medal on the floor with a second gold on the pommel horse just 75 minutes later.

Members of Basildon Council are hoping to arrange a civic ceremony in honour of the gymnast while Basildon Mayor David Harrison is hopeful a parade, perhaps including open top double-decker buses can be held.

But Mr Huntman believes that, although a show of public support and celebration is undoubtably needed, that a permanent reminder of his achievements should be created.

He said: "I think Max's success really shows that hard work pays off in sport and all aspects of your life so I think we need something like this so everyone can show their support.

"I remember a time when we didn't do too well at the Olympics and now we are leading the world.

"It's so important we have positive role models; for someone like Max who has worked extremely hard in a very competitive field to get to the top is an inspiration."

However, despite enthusiasm for the idea, it does not sound hopeful Max will get his own gold postbox, Royal Mail has said Brazil, as the host nation of this year's Games, will have the honour of celebrating the Games in its own way.

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said, “London 2012 was a unique occasion for the UK.

"We hosted the Games and our athletes performed extraordinarily well.

"Because of our status as the host nation, Royal Mail was honoured to mark the achievement of our athletes through gold post boxes and special stamps – the first country to do so.

"As the host nation, our gold post boxes were a unique, highly visible and fitting way to recognise the successes of Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

"In late 2012, we confirmed that all 110 post boxes would remain gold on a permanent basis, with a plaque naming the athlete and their achievement, or the location's connection with London 2012.

"Brazil, as the host nation of Rio 2016, will now have the honour of celebrating the Games in its own way.”