An historic and popular visitor attraction is set to open again following a major restoration project.

The Deal Timeball Tower - once used by ships to check the accuracy of their chronometers - will open its doors to visitors from Good Friday.

It has been closed since last year, when work started to refurbish the maritime landmark, including replacing the mast and improving the timeball mechanism.

Other works also carried out include repairs to seating and paving, the repainting of bollards, refurbishing the anchor, and works on the cannon, cycle racks, and historic information board.

The frontage has also been cleaned down, to refresh the paving and raised flower beds.

This was thanks to an £80,000 cash boost, which came from owners Dover District Council (DDC) and fundraising by the Deal Museum Trust.

Jeremy Davies-Webb, chair of the Deal Timeball Tower Trustees, said: “We are very grateful for all the restoration work by Dover District Council.

"We are very conscious of our responsibility to keep this valuable historical asset in use.

"We have been raising money for repairs, and there is still some internal restoration work to be done, and we continue to work hard to appeal for donations.

"However, we thank everyone who has supported the Trust, and we look forward to reopening over the Easter weekend."

The Timeball Tower, on Victoria Parade, was built in 1820 with a semaphore mast at the top used to signal to ships.

In 1855, the timeball mechanism was added by the Astronomer Royal, George Airy.

The timeball, which is similar to the Greenwich Time Ball, was designed to fall at 1pm precisely.

The time signal allowed ships in the area to check the accuracy of their chronometers, essential for accurate navigation.

It is one of only a handful of timeballs worldwide with a functioning mechanism, thanks to the makeover.

Now, the Grade ll listed site is run as a successful and award-winning museum and visitor attraction by the Deal Museum Trust.

It will be open 11.30am-4.30pm from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 15-18 inclusive).

Opening times for 2022 will then be 11.30am-4.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays from April 30 to May 29 inclusive, public holidays on May 2, May 30, Aug 29, and Wednesdays to Sundays inclusive from June 2 to October 2.

Cllr Oliver Richardson, DDC cabinet member for corporate property said: “We are delighted to see the Timeball Tower reopening, and would like to say a big thank you to the Deal Museum Trust and all their amazing volunteers.

"This is a fantastic historic asset, and we are very pleased to have been able to invest in this renovation."

Works were carried out by contractors Hipperson Limited and Fabweld Metalworks, as well as John Cossey Roofing and Maintenance Contractors Ltd, and specialist works were undertaken by Gillett and Johnston Clockmakers and Restorers.

A range of other works were carried out by DDC’s Asset Maintenance Team.

For more, visit here.