WORK is due to start on preserving Eston's Victorian cemetery wall following a campaign by residents.

Concerned residents had pressed for repairs to the 160m-long sandstone wall - built in 1860 - as it suffers from severe erosion.

Now Redcar and Cleveland Council has drawn up a programme of work that will see £170,000 spent on restoration work over the next three years.

The worst-affected areas will be replaced with natural stone from Eskdale Quarry, Whitby. The new stone will be dyed to retain the wall's overall appearance. The first action will be the refurbishment of the two pairs of cast iron gates at the West Lodge entrance in Normanby Road.

The gates were due to be removed yesterday and should be back in place in the new year.

Following the construction of a trial panel to see if it blended in with the rest of the wall, stonemasons from Stone Restoration Services of Middlesbrough are expected to begin work early next year.

Coun Ann Higgins, chairman of Eston Residents' Association and an independent councillor for Eston, said: "Everyone in the area has been concerned about the wall, and the community joined together in a strong campaign for it to be renovated and preserved.

"The council accepted the wall did need a significant amount of investment and it was one of the first funding issues tackled by the new coalition.

"Now I think we've got a perfect solution."

Mike Hardman, the council's assistant director for environmental improvement, said: "This is not going to be a quick fix, but high quality work that will guarantee the life of the wall for many generations to come."