THE unveiling of information panels marked the completion of restoration work in Richmond's Friary Gardens.

The £96,000 two-year project saw extensive repairs to the fifteenth century tower and installation of pathways to link the Friary Hospital and Co-op supermarket with the town centre.

Coun James Kendall, chairman of Richmondshire District Council, unveiled the interpretation boards on Monday. Representatives from other organisations involved in the work, including the town and county councils, the local Rotary club, the civic society and English Heritage attended.

One panel describes the life and works of the Grey Friars, a fundamentalist religious order which professed to live off charity, without possessions or property. The other provides information on the Friary from its founding in 1258 to its dissolution in 1539.

Tony Clark, Richmondshire Council's executive director, said: "The unveiling of the interpretation panels marks the end of a long period that has seen significant change to the area surrounding the Friary Gardens.

"The development of the supermarket and the conversion of the former school buildings to a community hospital has led to a much greater understanding of the site and its history. It has also enabled us to consider how the area would be better integrated with the town centre and used more beneficially as public open space.

"A lot of individuals and organisations have invested significant amounts of time and money into restoring the area and I hope the people of Richmond and visitors to the town enjoy reaping the benefits of that hard work."

The council hopes to acquire land next to the gardens and plans include examining floodlighting the tower.