HISTORIC iron gates which were installed at the York Hospital site more than 150 years ago have been lovingly restored to their former glory.

The hospital was built on the site of a number of sports fields and a children’s play park, including the boys of the then Archbishop Holgate’s Grammar School, and the iron gates were put in place on the boundary to Bridge Lane.

Prompted by a letter from former pupil, David Crawford, York Civic Trust has helped to restore the original gates - which still stand on the hospital site - to their former glory.

The Trust's Dr David Fraser said: “The historic gates were fabricated by Hawleys on behalf of the Walker Iron Foundry of York in the 1850s. Walkerswas a very prestigious firm - they supplied the gates and railings for the British Museum and earned the patronage of Queen Victoria, being appointed ‘iron founders and purveyors of smith’s work’ to the Queen.”

The work was carried out between July 2016 and January 2017 by contractors Barker and Patterson and I M Thornton, and the gates are now in place at the hospital in much better repair.

James Hayward, Capital Projects Manager, said: “The iron gates are of unique historic value but had ended up in a very bad state of repair.

“Thanks to research by the York Civic Trust we have been able to have them restored right down to the last detail. It’s been a fascinating project and very much a labour of love and we are very grateful to York Civic Trust for all their input and support.”