AN ICONIC piece of woodland art has been restored thanks to the efforts of talented volunteers.

Timber cladding on the entrance arch to Marbury Park from the car park had decayed to such an extent that it had to be removed on safety grounds, leaving rangers and volunteers from Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) concerned about how to raise the money to replace it.

But a team of woodwork volunteers stepped forward and crafted new pieces made from a turkey oak that had been felled in the park.

The decayed pieces of wood removed from the arch were kept for use as templates and replacement pieces were cut and shaped from new timber.

The trio of volunteers, Bob Hudson, Mike Lees and Clive Brookes, held a trial fit of the first piece to be cut in November 2014 and the refurbishment was completed in July.

Alan Redley, FoAM chairman, said: "Without the effort and talents of Bob, Mike, Clive and other volunteers who have helped, it would not have been possible to refurbish the arch."