A PIECE of a town's heritage has made a triumphant return, much the brighter after losing generations of grime.

The Acklam Lordship is a primitive 18th Century map of the part of Teesside now covered by the urban sprawl of Middlesbrough, painted in oils on sailcloth.

The map has been restored with the help of a £50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant and a further £4,500 donation by Great Ayton resident David Deans, whose late wife had a particular interest in the map.

People will be able to see the lie of the land as it was two centuries ago when the re-vamped Dorman Museum re-opens in the spring.

There was some restoration work done on the 13ft by 4ft map in the 1930s and 1960s, but it has been in storage for years.

Councillor Mike Carr, the council's executive member for culture, leisure and recreation, said: "This is a unique and irreplaceable part of Middlesbrough's history and it is good to know we have managed to preserve it for the people of the town to see and enjoy."

Senior librarian Larry Bruce added: "It is good to see the map back in Middlesbrough again. It is an impressive sight and will be in the ideal setting for people to appreciate it."