WORK has started on the restoration of a North Yorkshire landmark.

Richmond's obelisk was beginning to look weather-worn, and the local authority was keen to see restoration work get under way - if it could find the money to cover the cost.

Earlier this year, there were clashes in the council chamber over how the costs of the renovation would be met.

Following a close vote, it was decided that the council would pay most of the bill, until finance chiefs noted that this could mean surrounding villages would have to do without promised street lighting.

In the end, a £50,000 grant from the National Lottery helped settle the matter and contractors have moved in, with the sound of chisel on stone now echoing around the Market Place.

The project should be completed before the end of the year.