Britain's 150-year-old budget box, first used by William Gladstone, takes its last bow

A red box that has carried the government's budget to the House of Commons for scores of years has made its last official appearance.

Treasury chief George Osborne posed with the box Tuesday before his budget speech.

The box was first used by William Gladstone in 1860, and most Chancellors of the Exchequer have used it ever since. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was an exception, using a new red box during his 11 years heading the Treasury.

The Public Record Office says the Gladstone box is in fragile condition, and will be retired to a permanent display in the Cabinet War Rooms.