'Mind the gap' voice restored

"Mind the Gap" - three little words that most Londoners barely notice anymore.

But for Margaret McCollum that simple instruction on the underground has a very personal meaning. It was the voice of her late husband Oswald Lawrence.

Robyn Dwyer explains:

An old version of London Underground's iconic 'Mind the Gap' announcement is to be restored at Embankment Tube station, after the widow of the actor who recorded it asked for the chance to hear her husband's voice again.

Oswald Laurence made the recording more than 40 years ago and could be heard all over the capital until it was phased out.

Embankment eventually became the only station to play the message, with Mr Laurence's widow telling staff she used to go there after his death so she could listen to his voice until it was eventually discontinued there too.

London Underground director Nigel Holness said: "Transport for London were approached by the widow of Oswald Laurence to see whether she could get a copy of the iconic 'mind the gap' announcement her husband made over 40 years ago.

"We were very touched by her story, so staff tracked down the recording and not only were they able to get a copy of the announcement on CD for her to keep but are also working to restore the announcement at Embankment station."