A MACHINE made of brass, steel cogs and cat gut that became the father of the modern lighthouse system is to return to its North-East roots after nearly a century.

The mechanism, the first lighthouse device in the world to use an alternating electric current, is returning to Souter Lighthouse, at Whitburn, South Tyneside, after 94 years.

Nick Dolan, the property manager, said: "We are delighted to be able to display to visitors the mechanism which made Souter Lighthouse the most technologically advanced in the world.

"We are grateful to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens for this generous loan and to the Friends of the Leas, who have helped to fund a display case for the mechanism."

Visitors will be able to see the new exhibit at the National Trust property when it re-opens for the summer season on Saturday.

Professor F H Holmes invented the system in the 19th Century and installed it at Souter in 1871. It created light by passing an electrical current between two carbon rods.

With the advent of the lightbulb, the machine became obsolete and was donated to Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery in 1909, now the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, where it has been since.

Visitors to the attraction can also see and hear its compressors in action on the first Monday of each month, starting on April 7.

The machines, which dominate the attraction's engine room, supply compressed air for the foghorn.

Over the winter, the National Trust has also been improving disabled access to the grounds, including new level access and a new gate into the Foghorn Field, leading to a new refreshment kiosk.

For details, call 0191-529 3161.