BUILDERS have proudly unveiled the first of Weymouth's restored seafront shelters.

It has taken six months of painstaking work to create exact replicas of the original Victorian wooden joints and cast iron decorations.

But project supervisor Eric Haskins says it's all been worthwhile, and the council is looking to spruce up other areas of the Esplanade Mr Haskins, of Frome Valley Construction, said: "It's been a tricky job but it's been interesting for us and we've tried to recreate what was here originally.

"Most of the bottom of the shelter had rotted, so all that has been replaced.

"We used some of the old timbers as patterns and used their joints so it's exactly as it was when it was first built.

"We also removed the old iron work and replaced it with exact replicas made by Bridport Foundry.

"And in the past the roof was just painted, but we've covered it with lead and put it back in the style we believe it was originally."

Construction students from Weymouth College pitched in and art students created an outdoor gallery surrounding the shelters while the work was taking place.

This is the first phase of the Melcombe Regis and Esplanade Townscape Heritage Initiative - a project to restore Weymouth's historic seafront.

Financed by the borough council and the Heritage Lottery Fund the project includes all seven shelters and the council hopes to roll out the restoration work further in the next few months.

They plan to tackle three prominent seafront statues: King George; Queen Victoria at Greenhill and Sir Henry Edwards at Alexandra Gardens.

The work could also extend to railings and lampposts, as well as private buildings along the Esplanade.

Sarah Groves, who is heading the project for the council, said: "Two more shelters are due to be unveiled at the beginning of July, then two more in September and the final two in January.

"Weymouth has a historic seafront and it's unique thanks to its Georgian architecture.

"This work is important both in terms of conservation and keeping the town's character."