A VICTORIAN relic from a village health spa has been restored to its former glory.

The riverside spa fountain at Gainford is back in full working order thanks to the efforts of members of the parish council.

The work, which cost £8,000, was funded by a lottery grant from Awards for All, as well as donations from local organisations and private individuals.

Coun Jack Diamond, who along with fellow parish councillors Wendy Withers, Newton Smith and Mark Charge formed a sub-committee, said: "I'm very pleased with it - it exceeds all expectations. As far as we can tell from research, it is an exact replica of the original."

Coun Withers added: "It's lovely. It's a nice plain and classical shape. Hopefully, this one will last another 150 years."

The spa dates from the 1850s when Gainford became a tourist attraction after the railway arrived. People from industrial towns came to enjoy the fresh air, walking and fishing and to take the sulphur-flavoured waters from an underground spring flowing into the River Tees.

The new version is to have paving surrounding it, as well as a retaining wall incorporating the original stone bowl and an inscription with the names of everybody who helped with the project.

Coun Diamond said: "We hope to get some brown signs up on the road and would like it to draw visitors."

The new stone bowls were made by Dunhouse Quarries, while blacksmith Brian Robson made the standpipe.

It was installed by Mr Robson, together with Tom Hayes and Sarah Andrew, from Little Newsham Forge, and Ashley Tunstall, Kevin Corner, John Kidman and Gordon Kidman of Dunhouse Quarries.

Coun Diamond said the reaction from villagers had been positive.

He said: "Everybody I've spoken to likes it; the only slight complaint from some people is that it looks too new, but that's inevitable and it will soon age with the chemicals in the water and the trees."

Coun Withers said an official opening ceremony would be held in August or September