PLACARD: STUDENTS CLIMBING ONTO PILLAR-BOX: POLICE WATCHING: POLICE QUESTIONING STUDENT: STUDENTS CHEERING. (NAT-SOF).




Initials ERW/V/JH/PF



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: STUDENTS FROM THE CITY OF LONDON UNIVERSITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CLAIMED THE WORLD PILLAR-BOX CROWDING RECORD WHEN THEY HEAPED 21 PEOPLE ONTO A PILLAR-BOX IN FINSBURY CIRCUS, LONDON. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS TWENTY.

THE STUDENTS ATTEMPTED THE RECORD AS PART OF A PUBLICITY BUILDUP TO THEIR FORTHCOMING "RAG WEEK", A FULL WEEK OF "STUNTS", CULMINATING IN A PROCESSION, TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY.

WHEN 20 STUDENTS HAD MANAGED TO FIND ROOM ON TOP OF THE BOX, THE TWENTY FIRST, AND ETHIOPIAN STUDENT, SOLOMAN, CLIMBED UP ON TOP OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND LAUGHINGLY PROCLAIMED HIMSELF "KING OF THE CASTLE".

WITH THE RECORD BROKEN, THE STUDENTS DESCENDED FROM THEIR LOFTY PERCH TO ALLOW THE LOCAL POSTMAN TO COLLECT THE MAIL ON TIME.

ONE STUDENT WAS QUESTIONED BY THE POLICE FOR DAMAGING A POST OFFICE SIGN, BUT, APART FROM THIS, THE POLICE SIMPLY LOOKED ON IN AMUSEMENT.