A £100,000 focal point of the multi-million pound restoration of a North-East park has been switched on.

The fountain in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, which was presented by Joseph Pease in 1869, has been restored by heritage restoration specialists from Wigan using the original manufacturers' drawings.

It will form the central attraction in a National Lottery-funded £4.4m restoration of the public park, where all the historic monuments are being restored, including the clock, sundial and main gates.

Yesterday, the Friends of Albert Park had the privilege of turning on the water for the fountain that had been virtually derelict since the 1960s.

Working from the old drawings and studying the remaining pieces, restroation company Lost Art has recreated the original design in cast iron over the past several months and recreates all the lost features, including lily leaves, swans, herons, bullrushes and columns.

Dominic Liptrot, a member of the restoration team, said: "We were honoured to be asked to complete a very challenging, yet immensely rewarding project.

"All our craftsmen - woodcarvers, pattern-makers, foundry workers, ironmongers, engineers, and gilders - are justifiably proud of their achievement in recreating a beautiful piece of Middlesbrough's Victorian heritage."

Barbara Smith, secretary of the Friends, said: "It has been a long time in planning. Some of us have been working on this since 1996, but it was such an honour to be able to flick the switch and get the fountain going.

"We have got a few more things to do, but it has made such a difference to the park in a short space of time."

Middlesbrough Council's project manager, Paul Rabbitts, said: "The team which has worked collectively on this element of the restoration have worked hard to restore this magnificent fountain.

"It has taken incredible craftsmanship to recreate possibly one of the finest fountains you will see in any public park anywhere."

Councillor David Budd, the authority's executive member for culture, said: "The return of the fountain marks one of the final stages in the park's restoration. Albert Park is now a real asset for the town and a leading visitor attraction for the region. We are immensely proud of this fine achievement."