10 Downing Street letter box

[StreetEndBoy]

Could someone please tell me if the letter box on the door of 10 Downing Street is a working letter box or there just to make it look like a normal front door. I know that the mail isnt delivered through it for security reasons but someone told me that the one there is a fake.thanks

[THECORBYLOON]

If you have a look here, http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page41.asp that is the view on the other side and the door is steel rather than wooden.

[THECORBYLOON]

Click on entrance hall and you'll see what I'm on about.

[StreetEndBoy]

I still cant find out if the actual letterbox opens if it does i am owed a drink on the right answer

[coco pops]

I don't think it woould open because of being bad for security

[THECORBYLOON]

Erm, even if it did how would you get anything through the steel on the other side?

[StreetEndBoy]

What is the point in having a fake letterbox. I know for security reasons that it cant open but why does there need to be 1 there in the firsr place

[lafrancaise]

So that when the prime ministers stand outside to get their photos taken by the press, they look like anyone else having a picture taken at the front door, n'est ce pas?

[THECORBYLOON]

The site says "The famous lion's head doorknocker and the brass letterbox date back to the 1770s" so I would say at one point it was a functioning letterbox but it is no longer used as a letterbox.

[StreetEndBoy]

Thank you all for you answers i hope that my betting partner will take that as an answer once again thank you.

[mushroom25]

I thought she moved out 2 days ago.......