A FEATURE of Thirsk's industrial heritage mistakenly buried under concrete is to be uncovered.

North Yorkshire County Council workmen buried part of the top of a former mill race, in Norby Front Street, while building a footpath.

The race carried the water powering the town's mill before it closed and was demolished in 1957.

Now the county council is to uncover the race after complaints from local historian Councillor Jan Marshall.

County council area highways manager Eddy Hayward said: "We were not aware of the race at the time we were doing the work.

"There has been a hiccup over the mill race and, while we can't turn the clock back, we are putting it right as best we can."

A site meeting was held after the issue was raised at aThirsk Town Council meeting last week.

But Coun Marshall, mayor of Thirsk, said the county knew of the race before the work started.

She said: "I'm very pleased that they are to remove the concrete. But we are disappointed as we told county about the problem and they still allowed the contractor to continue."

County councillor Gareth Dadd added: "I'm very frustrated at what happened, but at least we can now say we have found a solution."

A fence will be built next to the race.