FUNDRAISERS in Redcar are celebrating reaching their target for the restoration of the town clock.

The King Edward VII Memorial Clock has stood tall in the centre of the town since 1913.

Now, after years of neglect, the community has the final penny in the pot for the Grade II listed building to be brought back to its former glory.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council announced on Tuesday that it would bridge the gap in funding with £30,000.

Fundraising began in 2003 for the £230,000 needed to restore the clock.

The Friends of Redcar Town Clock started the campaign, raising £10,000, by selling £1 paper bricks.

This was matched by the council, which provided a further £10,000, and a further £11,000 was secured from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget.

New grant aid was recently secured with £148,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £20,000 from the Northern Rock Foundation, thanks to successful applications from the council and partners, Cleveland Buildings Preservation Trust.

Bob Stanway, the council's cabinet member for environmental improvement, said: "These are major steps forward in our commitment to restoring the clock.

"It has a long, proud history and restoration work will return an important local landmark to its former glory."

Plans are also being drawn up to increase community involvement in the project with a series of heritage, arts and educational events, involving local schools, as well as a celebration event to mark the end of restoration work.

With the money now available, a construction company must be found to take on the project.