MEMORIES of Eston's mining tradition were rekindled at the weekend when two giant ironstone pillars returned home.

The two pillars, each two metres high and weighing two and a half tonnes, were transported from their familiar spot either side of the entrance to Redcar and Cleveland Council's Town Hall offices to a new location on the old hospital site in Eston High Street.

Two plaques, recording tributes to the Eston Ironstone Mine 1850-1949 and the men of iron, were created for the pillars.

The council's chairman, Coun Eric Empson said: "I'm delighted to see the pillars back in their rightful place as the hospital was, in fact, built to help and benefit all the miners, so it's right and proper the pillars should be there in memory of the miners and the mine."

Eston ward councillor Ann Higgins, one of the leading campaigners for the pillars' return, said: "The pillars will commemorate the important role our town played in the iron and steel story of this country and be a proud tribute to all who worked and died in the Eston Mine.

"We are grateful to the council and all the companies involved for supporting their rightful and long-awaited return to Eston."

The council acquired and prepared the land for the pillars' location on the path leading to Persimmon Homes' Rothwell Mews development.

Industry sponsors, Huntsman Mitsui Babcock and Mammoet, both based on the Wilton International site, provided the expertise and equipment to lift the pillars by crane then transport them on the mile and a half journey yesterday morning.

McAlpine Government Services constructed the plinths for the pillars to stand on and supplied the two brass plaques.

The Eston Residents Association plaque, A Tribute To Our Men of Iron, records the thoughts of an Eston miner and gives an account of his wrestle with Blue Billy - the local name for iron ore.

The second plaque, a tribute to Eston Ironstone Mine 1850-1949, gives details of the history of the mine and its contribution to Teesside's industrial heritage.