Statues returned to Spanish City in Whitley Bay

The figures were originally installed in 1910

Two 100-year-old statues have been returned to a landmark building on Tyneside following a makeover.

The copper dancing girl figures were lowered into place by crane on to the towers either side of Spanish City, in Whitley Bay, earlier.

The figures, which date back to 1910, have been cleaned and restored by specialists in London.

It was one of the last stages in the multi-million pound project to restore the white-domed building.

The dome was built in 1910 and the figures originally stood on two towers either side of the entrance.

North Tyneside Council removed them in 2007, because of their fragile state, and they were put into storage.

'So important'

North Tyneside mayor Linda Arkley said: "The dome is at the centre of my commitment to deliver the regeneration of Whitley Bay's seafront.

"That's why reaching one of the very last milestones in the dome's repair and conservation is so important.

"It means the focus is about to become the future permanent use of the building for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses."

The work to Spanish City has included restoring the dome to its original condition, fitting a new flagpole and restoring the parapet wall.

Kier North Tyneside, which has been carrying out the work, said it had used materials and construction methods similar to those used in 1910 so it was as close as possible to the original building.

North Tyneside Council is now talking to short-listed developers about their plans for the site.

People will be invited back inside the dome as part of the Heritage Open Days event in September.