The man who designed a rare post box that can be found in the centre of Carlisle has been named one of the greatest surveyors of the past 150 years.

Today only 20 of the earliest designs of Penfolds exist across the whole of the UK - including one outside the Old Town Hall.

The first Penfold box on mainland Britain was erected in Bothergate, Carlisle.

John Wornham Penfold, who was born 190 years ago, was a leading architect and founding member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

His design for the distinctive British hexagonal post box - adorned with acanthus leaves, balls and the monarch’s royal coat of arms - was commissioned by the Post Office in 1866.

It created a national standard for letter boxes.

The post box outside the Old Town Hall is one the very few remaining Penfolds left.

Only 20 of the earliest designs of Penfolds exist in the whole of the UK, and these are now classed as Grade II listed buildings.

The first Penfold box on mainland Britain was erected in Bothergate, Carlisle, in 1853, but it didn’t survive.

The site is marked with a remembrance plaque.

The admiration of Penfold’s post-box design was later characterised in the well-known Danger Mouse cartoon series.

The crime-fighter’s side-kick was named ‘Penfold’ and the duo’s hide-out was a letter box.

Global professional body RICS is recognising and celebrating the most influential surveyors from over the last 150 years who have had a significant and positive impact on society.

As part of its ‘Pride in the Profession’ campaign, RICS members nominated John Wornham Penfold to be celebrated.

And, in recognition of his achievements, a replica Penfold post box and details about his career are on display in RICS's headquarters in London.

John Wornham Penfold was president of the Architectural Association School of Architecture in 1859-60.

He was also a founder member of the Surveying Institution, the precursor to RICS, and served as its first honorary secretary, serving for 36 years from 1868 to 1904.

Sean Tompkins, chief executive of RICS, said: "The Pride in the Profession initiative is about celebrating the remarkable contribution surveyors have had, and continue to have on society.

"John Wornham Penfold’s work as a leading surveyor of his time, his contribution to the RICS and the historic design of the Penfold box stand him out as a great surveyor worthy of recognition.

"Examples like John Penfold’s serve to remind us what a varied and rewarding career surveying can be."