A ROYAL coat of arms, hastily altered when the reigning monarch died, has been restored to its former glory.

The painting dates back to 1830, when the new Ripon Liberty Courthouse, North Yorkshire, was nearing completion.

It depicted the coat of arms of George the Fourth. He died shortly before the official opening and the coat of arms had to be quickly changed to that of his successor, his brother William.

The painting has hung above the bench at the courthouse, now a museum, ever since.

It has now been restored by local expert, David Everingham, who removed dust and dirt, consolidated flaking paint and thinned discoloured varnish.

Marguerite Moss, the new curator of the museum, said: "Over the years the painting had darkened considerably. The work done by David Everingham has revealed colours not seen before."

The painting has now been re-hung in the museum. Mrs Moss received it along with the mayor and mayoress of Ripon, Councillor John Stockdale and Gloria Sturdy.