Colchester's position as the oldest Roman town in the country is being reinforced by the council, with new road signs indicating Northgate, Headgate and Eastgate.

The most noticable new signs have gone up at Balkerne Hill, Sheepen Road and Westway, indicating Northgate as the way into the town centre.

Northgate was included on road signs before the Middleborough redevelopment, but not in such a high-profile way. A plaque on the town wall also indicated where the North gate would originally have stood.

Signs indicating Headgate, at the Head Street junction and Eastgate, near the level crossing, have also been installed.

All three are in the positions where the original Roman gates would have been.

Christopher Arnold (Con Horkesleys), chairman of the council environment and transport policy panel said: "We are trying to reinforce the town's historical links in many ways and increased road signing is just one of them."

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