Restoration of a historic monument to six York children who drowned in the River Ouse almost 200 years ago will 'get seriously under way' very soon after York Civic Trust hit its crowdfunding target.

The Trust had just a week to raise £750 to reach its £14,000 fundraising target to restore the Rigg Monument - but did so with some days to spare.

In a message on Facebook, chief executive David Fraser said: "We made it! The project on site will get seriously underway very soon, with completion in late summer. Many thanks to all you caring people out there."

The monument was put up by public subscription following the death of six children in a boating accident on the Ouse in 1830.

Nineteen-year-old Ann Rigg, her sister Eliza, 17, and her brothers Thomas, 18, John, 16, James, seven, and Charles, six, were the children of Walmgate seed merchant John Rigg and his wife Ann.

All six drowned when their boat collided with another boat.