[B]Lara Croft's tomb spelunking adventures have finally paid off for her in real-world recognition: Her home town in Britain has named a street after her.[/B]

The Derby City Council wanted to name a stretch of road and put the naming to an Internet vote. Lara Croft Way won in a landslide. But why would the hero of a videogame even be considered for such an honor? Turns out that Core Design, the game design house that created Tomb Raider, is based in Derby.

According to a story in [URL=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Worldwide-reaction-Lara-Croft-Way-decision/article-1871262-detail/article.html]the Derbyshire press[/URL]:

[INDENT]Nearly 28,000 of 30,000 votes were cast for Lara Croft Way, while Mercian Way, after Derbyshire's Army regiment, received 1,570 votes.

They were among eight names short-listed by city council officials for the £36m ring road.

Lara Croft Way will be used to name the Osmaston Road to Burton Road stretch, with Mercian Way becoming the Burton Road to Stafford Street link.[/INDENT]Many commenters at the paper's web site were upset, particularly when it was revealed that people could vote more than once. But it is an interesting tribute to a local icon.

Congratulations, Lara.

[url=http://www.gameculture.com/2010/03/01/lara-croft-gets-her-own-street]More...[/url]