ONE of the country's only Grade II-listed fences has been given a facelift.

More than £50,000 has been spent on the gardens at Sunnyfield House, in Guisborough, east Cleveland.

The extremely rare fence, which is of Chinese design, has been fully restored thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Guisborough Market Town Initiative.

The garden, restored to an authentic 18th Century design, was officially opened by the Mayor of Guisborough, Councillor Heather Barker, in a ceremony attended by other civic dignitaries.

A £50,000 grant from the HLF and £10,000 from the Market Town Initiative paid for the restoration of the Chinoiserie wooden screen fence to its original design, as well as replacing the front gate, repairing the stone boundary wall and re-designing the garden to an 18th Century style.

Sunnyfield House hosts a range of activities and facilities and has played a prominent role in the town's history. It is now included in the conservation area.

Coun Barker said: "I am delighted this project is now finally complete. It has made a huge improvement to the appearance of the town centre and will help the regeneration of our market town."

Sunnyfield House was built in 1780 for John Harrison, the agent for the Chaloner estate. It came into the ownership of Guisborough Town Council in 1991.

Local historian Roger Darnton has provided many period photos which have helped with the restoration and some are contained in an information board in front of the house.

He said: "The reconstructed garden and fence really sets off a superb local building."