THE restoration of an ornate 18th Century gate to its original glory has been recognised with a conservation award.

The Stokesley Society carried out the work to Kent Gate, behind the High Street post office, over the past year.

The scheme has been chosen by the town's Conservation Area Advisory Group as the best contribution to conservation over the past 12 months.

Members of the society had long thought that the restoration of the wrought iron gate and its stone pillars was too daunting, but work finally got under way after grant applications were agreed.

The local blacksmith who carried out the project estimated the gate was made between 1730 and 1760 - a view backed up by a national expert on ironwork.

Society chairman Hugh Charman said: "Members feel privileged to have been able to help save this unique feature of our local heritage for future generations to enjoy. We hope it survives for another two-and-a-half-centuries."

The group is now investigating the history of the gate and the area around it.

"Despite its name, there is no Kent House," said Mr Charman. "So maybe it was named after its designer, perhaps Bridlington-born William Kent, who was a famous architect and landscape designer of the time. Most of his work was in the south, but he did do some in Yorkshire.

"The gate was originally one of a pair so members would like to know where it came from."

The gate will now become a major feature of a new town trail being prepared by the society with funding from English Heritage's Local Heritage Initiative