Portsmouth city centre's iconic fountain is given a facelift

However it has not taken long for someone to add soap to the water to create a mass of bubbles - something which is not an unusual sight in the city.

The fountain at the junction between Commercial Road and Arundel Street has had its shields repainted and brought back to life as well as being given a clean by the city council.

It was presented to the people of Portsmouth by Landports in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee and was unveiled by the Admiral of the Fleet, the Earl Mountbatten, on November 30, 1977.

It is one of a number of historic monuments in the city and one symbolising the close links the late Queen had with Portsmouth to whom she was no stranger.

Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said the bubbles in the water fountain had been dealt with They added: "Colas dealt with the incident promptly by applying a chemical that breaks down the detergent and disperses it naturally."