AN old copper lantern that has stood in a town for a number of years has been restored to its former glory.

A couple of years ago, Wigton resident, Harry Wilson was approached by an old friend, Dennis Graham who had the copper lantern in his possession.

The lantern was famous for standing in Market Place, alongside the water pump replacing the medieval market cross.

The lantern and the pump have moved round the town but in 1998, the late Binky Armstrong, who was a town councillor at the time, wanted to site the pair in the town centre for the millennium regeneration of Water Street.

This was to be their new destination. However, the years in the park at Greenacres and the removal had taken its toll on the already damaged lantern so the decision at the time was taken to replace is with a replica.

When Mr Graham showed Mr Wilson the original lamp under a sheet at Free For All in Wigton, his son, Richard encouraged him to take it home.

He said: “I told him you have to go and buy it, it needs saving.”

Mr Graham gave Mr Wilson the lamp for free and Mr Wilson and his son set about reigniting the original lamp.

Richard said: “So we set about trying to think of ways to reshape the thing but the copper was so badly kinked, bent, corroded or missing, one side needed totally rebuilt where the door was as these pieces were broken off.

“We sought the help of an expert coppersmith from Scotland who restores antique lanterns, he reluctantly built the door for us and made a great job.

“With all that in mind we strengthened each snapped piece where we could and added bits where needed but we didn’t want to replace anything as we wanted to keep it all original and didn’t want to build another replica.”

The original lamp is now mounted on top of another former Victorian Wigton lamp post cast by Dan Clark of Carlisle on West Avenue where it will receive regular maintenance. The lamp also has a modern electrical supply so is in working order for the first time in over 20 years.