WORK has started to give a unique piece of York heritage a much-needed facelift.

Following an appeal for funds to pay for the repainting of the iconic Bile Beans sign on the side of a building on Lord Mayor's Walk, the money was raised within weeks and was yesterday underway.

The request for help was sent out through The Press by York Civic Trust chairman Sir Ron Cooke after the cost of repainting the peeling sign was estimated at £1,600.

His colleague, director at the civic trust, Peter Brown said: “We are delighted that the people of York have responded so positively. It puts a smile on your face when you go past it.

“It was absolutely right we should restore it and it proves to us the people of York care about their environment and are willing to put their hands in their pockets to support it.”