COUNCILLORS bought a birthday cake for a broken lamp post which has been awaiting a replacement for a year.

The lamp post in Mersea Road, Colchester, was knocked over a year ago when a car crashed into it.

Councillor Dave Harris (Lab) was disappointed to see the dangerous eyesore has still not been replaced.

He said: “Councillor Chris Pearson and I went there to talk to residents, and had a mock birthday for the poor lamp post.

“A single candle recorded the year we have already waited.

“I have protested yet again to Essex County Council as now it seems it is going to be March 2019 when it is replaced.”

Essex County Council owns and looks after most of the street lights in Essex.

The council said regular inspections are carried out to ensure the street lights are working properly.

Higher priority is usually given to faults which could be dangerous such as exposed electrical wiring.

It is not the first time Mr Harris has marked a lamppost milestone.

In October 2016, he held a birthday party for a street light in Pebmarsh Close, Colchester. It had been damaged 12 previously after being hit by bin lorry.