A road gets named after Lara Croft

THE BRITISH TOWN of Derby has proudly announced that its brand spanking new ring road will be named after one of its famous daughters, Lara Croft.

Tomb Raider was created by British gaming firm Eidos in Derby and the game holds a particular place in local hearts, it seems. The decision to name the road after the buxom female games character was decided by an online vote, according to the local council which drew out responses from thousands of the local electorate.

When the votes were tallied up, 89 per cent of respondents opted for Lara, beating out other suggestions including one dedicated to a Derby County footballing legend, Steve Bloomer Way, and John Flamsteed Way after the first Astronomer Royal, as well as another suggestion related to the man credited with creating Derby's first waterworks. None of which apparently struck Derby's citizenry as quite so exciting as a teenage boy's dream girlfriend.

About 30,000 votes were cast by the public, and Councillor Lucy Care, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, said, "The vote really captured the imagination of people from across the world and, despite my lack of gaming knowledge, I accept that a majority of 89 per cent for Lara Croft is too overwhelming to ignore! She was created in Derby and deserves stand alongside some of the more traditional icons of the city."

Gaming nerds should head up to Derby soon to enjoy the ring road. µ