A VICTORIAN water wheel has joined the ranks of Concorde and the E-Type Jaguar after receiving a prestigious engineering award.

Killhope Wheel, located at the popular lead mining museum in Upper Weardale, was presented with an Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Engineering Heritage Award last week.

It was honoured for being the oldest and largest surviving William Armstrong water wheel in the world, designed and manufactured by the famous Tyneside engineer at his Elswick Works in1860.

Bowman Bradley, chairman of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ North-East region, who presented the award, said: “This award honours not just the fantastic work of William Armstrong, but also of the volunteers and staff that have restored and maintained the wheel in such fantastic condition.”

Cllr Tracie Smith, Durham County Council’s Cabinet support member for tourism, culture, leisure and rural issues said: “The Killhope Wheel has an important place in County Durham’s history and we are delighted it has been presented with this special award.

“The museum has recently seen a major refurbishment which will help ensure artefacts from the county’s past are protected and preserved for future generations to understand and enjoy.”

Maria McArdle, museum operations officer at the Killhope Lead Mining Museum, said on receipt of the award: “We are very proud to receive this prestigious award which recognises the importance of the Killhope Wheel not just in the history of the north east but across the world.

“The hard work and dedication of our staff means the iconic waterwheel remains at the centre of the museum where visitors can experience the life of the lead mining families of the past.”

The awards aim to promote artefacts, sites or landmarks of significant engineering importance past and present.