AN historic feature of Kempsey has been given a new lease of life to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The jubilee bench at Bannut Hill had fallen into disrepair, but now it is looking as good as new and its place on the green has been brightened up with flowers.

First placed outside the parish hall to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935, it was moved to Bannut Hill in the 1960s to provide a resting place and meeting point for elderly people living there.

When the parish council was looking for a suitable jubilee project last year, resident Deanna Curtis suggested refurbishing it.

The council paid for the cost of the materials and Matthew Price, of Lanes End, Kempsey, did the work free of charge, while Bannut Hill resident Jo Brookes uncovered the original slabs at its base and planted the flowers given by Kempsey nurseryman Tony Hartland.

Mr Price, who is learning the art of blacksmithing as a hobby, said the main feature of the seat was its end castings, which he has had shot-blasted and galvanised.

Many of the seat slats were missing or rusty, and he replaced them with thicker ones in galvanised steel, before painting the seat green and fitting a new commemorative plaque.

"It's a bit sturdier now and it is nice to think it's there for a bit longer," he said.