A ROUNDABOUT outside a school in West Swindon has been described as the best in the country by the president of the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society.

And Kevin Beresford was so impressed by the traffic-streaming device near Peatmoor Community Prim-ary School in Pepperbox Hill, that he has put it on the front cover of next year's best-selling Roundabouts of Swindon calendar.

Mr Beresford, who is commonly referred to in roundabout circles as the Lord of the Rings, has always nominated the town's Magic Roundabout as his all-time favourite road junction.

But he says the town's famous landmark has been usurped in his affections.

"I was in Swindon a few months ago and I stumbled on this roundabout almost by accident," Mr Beresford said.

"I've been from Land's End to John O'Groats and I've never seen a roundabout with giant coloured crayons.

"For a devoted roundabout spotter like myself, I was quite overwhelmed.

"Because of its uniqueness I have granted it the front cover and also the prime spot of December in the Swindon calendar for next year.

"It's a shame I spotted it quite late otherwise it would have ended up in our prestigious The Best of British Roundabouts calendar 2007, but I shall definitely include it in the 2008 Best of British calendar."

Mr Beresford recently appeared on The Sharon Osbourne Show to profess his love of roundabouts and he made sure he mentioned his favourite roundabout spotting town.

"She asked me what my favourite roundabout was and I said the Magic Roundabout, but I think that has changed since I've seen this new one," he said.

"I think Swindonians are quite proud of their roundabouts and it's definitely one of the best, if not the best, town for roundabouts.

"Our Swindon calendar is by far the best-selling calendar we produce and it's not hard to see why when you see some of the roundabouts on display.

"Our appreciation society even organises days out so we can take a tour of the town's roundabouts."

Peatmoor headteacher Fiona Thomson said the school was absolutely thrilled to be included in the next edition of the Roundabouts of Swindon calendar.

She said: "We're delighted our roundabout is going to be featured in the calendar and that Mr Beresford has taken such a shine to it.

"It would also be fantastic if we make it onto the British roundabout calendar as it will show the whole country what a beautiful and unusual roundabout we have here."