THE famous gates of Rowntree Park have finally been restored.

The distinctive iron gates, believed to have been made in France in 1715 by Jean Tijou, were removed in January to be repaired.

The original gates were installed in the 1950s as a memorial to the employees of Rowntree's York cocoa works.

The gates have been restored by Wigginton-based architectural blacksmiths Don Barker Ltd. They opened once more on Monday. Other work undertaken by the company includes the new gates for Westminster Abbey. Repairs to the gates were funded by City of York Council and the lottery's Heritage Memorial Fund.

Updated: 08:37 Wednesday, July 09, 2003