FOUR historic road signs in a village have been restored to their former glory.

Cartmel, known for the 12th Century Cartmel Priory, with its stained glass windows, modern sculptures and ancient choir stalls, is now the only village in south Cumbria to have four Victorian road signs restored to their original beauty.

The road signs on the approach roads to the village are part of a project by the Allithwaite and Cartmel Parish Lengthsman Archie Workman to restore all 26 signs still standing in the Furness peninsula.

Each sign is of the same Lancastrian design with the Cartmel name blade in black and white and a white nipple on top of the cast iron post which all were manufactured over 100 years ago by Thomas Graham and Sons Ltd in Preston.

Caroline Johnston, the chairwoman of the newly named Allithwaite and Cartmel Parish Council welcomed the restoration.

She said: “They are such a lovely addition to the heritage of the village and have attracted many positive comments from visitors and residents alike - they stand proud in the roadside verges as little Anthony Gormley statues.”

Reflecting on his work and outlining his plans, Mr Workman said: “It has been a great pleasure to see these Cartmel signs in their original colours - there are about seven more to do in the project next year when the weather improves for painting and then will be the largest group of restored signs in the county.”