WORK to clean and restore a famous statue of York railway giant George Leeman has been completed in time for Royal Ascot.

The monument, in Station Rise, was spruced up by York Civic Trust, assisted by grants from York Business Pride and the Railway Heritage Trust.

Leeman was chairman of the North Eastern Railway, and chiefly responsible for the exposure and downfall of his arch-rival, York's disgraced "Railway King" George Hudson.

Some historians say that the statue was originally intended to be of Hudson, but Leeman's head was grafted on to it.

Civic Trust chairman Darrell Buttery said: "The marble statue carved by York sculptor George Milburn in 1883 was in good condition, but pollution at this busy corner meant it was covered in thick carbon deposits.

"We needed specialist conservators for the project, and William Anelay was used once more to clean away the decades of dirt."

York Business Pride chairman Adam Sinclair said: "We wanted York to look its best not only for our visitors next week but for the future prosperity of the city.

"This is one of a number of initiatives which we, the civic trust and the council, have undertaken in recent months."

Railway Heritage Trust chief executive Jim Cornell said it was delighted to contribute to the restoration costs.

"We want to recognise the significant part George Leeman played in 19th century railway developments and this seemed an appropriate way of doing so."

Leeman, born in 1802, was a solicitor, and also served as an MP for York as an independent, and as Lord Mayor three times.

His work to improve York's drainage systems, streets and burial grounds made him very popular, and the money for his statue was raised by public subscription. He gives his name to Leeman Road, the site of the National Railway Museum.

Leeman died in 1882.

Updated: 11:44 Friday, June 10, 2005