THE famous silver swan at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle has undergone a full service to keep it in tip-top condition.

The 230-year-old automaton was acquired by museum founders, John and Josephine Bowes, in 1872, and continues to perform twice a day, much to the delight of visitors.

To ensure the swan can continue to operate successfully on a daily basis it regularly undergoes a complete service by specialist Ray Mand, who has looked after the silver bird for 25 years.

"It's a mechanical marvel and a privilege to work on," he said.

The intricate innards are believed to be the work of inventor John Joseph Merlin. They were made in the late 18th century in the workshops of James Cox, a London goldsmith.

The swan is a life-size model and is controlled by three separate mechanisms. When set in motion, the swan appears to preen itself before bending its neck to take a small fish from the water, which is cunningly concealed within its beak. In reality swans do not eat fish.

The automaton was shown by the jeweller Harry Emmanuel at the 1867 Paris Exhibition. The Bowes purchased the unique creature five years later for 5,000 francs, about £200. Now classed as priceless and irreplaceable, it is perhaps the most recognisable and best loved object in the museum.