A faded ‘landmark’ piece of graffiti across a rail bridge in Sandhurst could be restored – after Network Rail hinted it could allow the community to repaint it.

Generations of Sandhurst residents have grown up knowing ‘The Happy Christmas Bridge’ next to the town’s train station, crossing High Street.

The words ‘happy Christmas’ were painted across the bridge by merry college students in 1967 – and have been there ever since, earning people’s affection.

But in recent years the slogan has become faded and barely visible. A recent Facebook post suggesting its restoration gained hundreds of likes and universal support – with people coming forward to share memories, and what the graffiti means to them.

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Harriet Fraser, who lives in Sandhurst, told the News her uncle Martin Malorie was one of the college students who painted the bridge after leaving a Christmas party in 1967 – apparently with the help of a grand piano.

She said: “There were a lot of them – about six or seven went up there. They were at a party at the time. They wheeled a piano from the house up to the bridge and used it to climb up. Martin lent over and painted it upside down.”

She added that her uncles and their friends have since ‘spoken about that night with howls of laughter.’ And each version of the story is told with its own elaborate details.

Harriet said: “They seem to think it was a grand piano. One of my uncles, Tim, was with them.

“He said when they had finished painting the bridge they wheeled the piano down to Yateley to the Hampshire-Berkshire border, and the Hampshire police came and pushed the piano back into Berkshire.”

The legend stuck – and so did the words, leading the bridge to become affectionately known as ‘The Happy Christmas Bridge’ by all who lived nearby.

Guy Gillbe, the Bracknell Forest councillor who suggested getting it repainted, told the News: “I grew up in Little Sandhurst in the 90s. It had just become so iconic by this point.

“I love the memory of coming back in the car and seeing The Happy Christmas Bridge, and it was that feeling of coming home.”

Michael Forster, who represents Sandhurst on Bracknell Forest Council, said he would ask Network Rail for permission to have the slogan repainted.

Now Network Rail has said it is ‘exploring the possibility’ of granting permission.

A spokesperson told the News: “We’ve been engaging with councillor Forster and we’re due to meet in the coming weeks to discuss upcoming maintenance on the bridge and the proposal to repaint The Happy Christmas Bridge.

“We’re currently exploring the possibility of permission being provided to the local community for ‘Happy Christmas’ to be repainted.”

They added: “Following our meeting with Cllr Forster and further discussion internally, we’ll provide a further update.”