Suffering from a broken spine, damaged limbs and a missing right leg below the knee, Neptune, one of Durham's oldest residents, was finally transported to Telford, in Shropshire, for emergency repairs in March 1984.

He had been the gift of George Bowes MP, who presented the statue to the city of Durham in 1729, and for 194 years he stood proudly on an octagonal pedestal in the market place.

Here water was provided to the people of Durham from the Fram Well across the river to the north. However, Neptune symbolised more ambitious plans than the supply of drinking water.

In 1720 it was proposed that Durham could become a sea port by digging a canal north to join the River Team, a tributary of the River Tyne near Gateshead.

Nothing came of the plan, but Neptune was a constant reminder of Durham's maritime possibilities. The thought of ships docking at the Sands or Millburngate remained fresh in the minds of Durham businessmen.

In 1759, a new proposal hoped to make the Wear navigable from Durham to Sunderland by altering the river's course, but the increasing size of ships made this impractical.

Neptune is all that remains of Durham's maritime dream, but it is only due to the foresight and determination of conservationists that he survives at all.

Neptune stood in the market place until 1923, by which time he had become an increasing hazard to traffic. He was removed to the city's Wharton Park and his old home would later become the site of a traffic police box.

For decades he was largely neglected and forgotten, and fell into disrepair. A victim of vandalism, he had to be supported on metal crutches and became a sorry sight indeed.

Neptune's predicament was discussed in the 1970s, but the final crunch came - literally - in 1979, when he was struck by lightning and suffered severe damage.

He was stored temporarily in a garage at Brandon while funds were raised for his repair. Only his leg and the accompanying dolphin ventured out to attend a fundraising event at Brancepeth Castle in 1983.

After full restoration in Shropshire, Neptune returned to Durham in October 1986, lodging for a short while in the town hall foyer, before removal to the window of the Gas Board showroom (until recently The Echo's Durham office) in Claypath.

Discussions ensued about where Neptune should be located, with at least ten sites suggested.

For a time the Magdalene Steps, in Saddler Street, seemed to be the favoured location, but in May 1991 he returned to his rightful home in Durham market place, only yards from where he was first sited 262 years earlier.

He had been restored at a total cost of £10,000, with an additional £15,000 paid towards a large sandstone plinth.

Published: 31/01/2003

If you have any memories of Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside or the Durham coast, including old photos or stories of people and places you would like to share with readers of The Northern Echo, write to David Simpson, Durham Memories, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF or email David.Simpson@nne.co.uk. All photos will be returned.