Lighthouse's £250,000 restoration completed

Herd Groyne lighthouse is more than 140 years old, having been built in 1882

An historic lighthouse has been returned to its former glory, after undergoing £250,000-worth of restoration work.

Over the past six months, Herd Groyne lighthouse, in South Shields, has been lovingly restored, including repairs to some structural defects, as well as a comprehensive clean and several new coats of distinctive red paint.

The restoration was made possible thanks to a £100,000 donation by The Barbour Foundation, the charity arm of the upmarket clothing brand, which features a drawing of the lighthouse on some of its outerwear.

Port of Tyne, which operates the lighthouse, said the donation had "ensured" it remains a "key piece of regional heritage" for future generations.

Herd Groyne sits at the mouth of the River Tyne and is still operational, despite being built in 1882.

The lighthouse has featured on Barbour clothing since the local company - whose headquarters are still in South Shields - issued its first clothing catalogue in 1908.

The repair work had been expected to last just 12 weeks when it first began in June, but has taken nearly six months to complete, with "some delays due to bad weather, as well as a spate of vandalism and unauthorised access", according to a spokeswoman.

The lighthouse is an emblem of Barbour clothing, and pays tribute to the firm's South Shields roots.

Both Herd Groyne and the surrounding infrastructure suffered severe damage during Storm Babet in October last year.

Temporary handrails were installed at the lighthouse site in May while repairs to the pavement were carried out, ahead of the restoration beginning in June.

'Remarkable lighthouse'

Chairwoman Dame Margaret Barbour said she was "delighted" the firm had been able to contribute towards the restoration "of this historic lighthouse".

"The Herd Groyne is one of the North East’s most recognised and unique landmarks; it means so much to all of us at Barbour," she said.

"This remarkable lighthouse has been part of our history and heritage since the company was founded in South Shields in 1894."

Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne's chief executive, thanked Barbour for their support, adding: "These important works will ensure the lighthouse continues to serve both the community and maritime industry for generations to come."

Following its completed restoration Herd Groyne is once more able to return to its navigational aid role, ensuring vessels safe passage on the River Tyne.

Meanwhile the South Pier and Lighthouse are also being restored, with works expected to continue into next year after the lighthouse's roof was completely lost in the same storm last year.

Herd Groyne lighthouse is a well-known local landmark on the River Tyne