ONE of York's best-known statues in Exhibition Square has been cleaned and conserved by York Civic Trust.

The statue of city artist William Etty has been given the special treatment before the onset of the winter weather.

"Etty has been in a sorry state for years and in desperate need of care and attention," said Darrell Buttery, chairman of the trust.

"Bird droppings, mildew and pollution have made the Portland stone statue look somehow sad and weary, but this air of gloom has been swept away by the conservation specialists, William Anelay Ltd, who removed the dirt and grime of decades using a steam-cleaning process."

The statue, carved in 1911 by York sculptor George Milburn, was carefully placed to keep a watchful eye on the Bar Walls.

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, November 30, 2004