The original graffiti was painted by Network Rail but in 1988 Ian Langston and his friend repainted it.

Mr Langston said he was 23 at the time and was discussing the landmark at the New Inn, now known as the Village Inn pub.

He said: “The regulars of the pub bet my friend and me a pound each if we repainted it.

“We went to my friend’s dad’s house, got a big paintbrush, a broom handle, and duct tape. We went; it took about an hour.

“We did one side of each by holding the trouser waist and hanging from the top.”

Mr Langston said he was pleased it had been repainted as it was “part of his heritage” and something he would tell his grandchildren about.

In February, Bracknell Forest councilor Guy Gillbe suggested the bridge be repainted, saying it had become “iconic”.

The cabinet member for planning, transport and countryside said: “I love the memory of seeing the ‘Merry Christmas Bridge’ when I got back in the car and it was the feeling of coming home.”