Look closely though and you will see several changes including a new, modern bobbed hairstyle for the girl, more defined hands and a more natural join between boy and girl.

Margaret Calvert, the graphic designer, who alongside Joe Kinneir, created many of Britain's road signs in the 1960s, was recalled to touch-up the original: “This was one of my favourite signs, being based upon myself as a child," she says. "But I always shuddered to see recent examples on the street, displaying such a travesty of my carefully crafted original. I was therefore delighted to work again on my design from 1962, and found that there were some subtle improvements I could make.”

The original sign was controversial when it first appeared 50 years ago since it ditched the previous, Enid Blyton-esque, boy in shorts and school cap, for the thoroughly modern young girl. Calvert claims she was not making a feminist statement but simply modelling the scene on how she crossed the road with her little brother.