GASPS of amazement from visitors to a Worcestershire stately home accompanied the sound of running water coming from a newly-restored fountain.

The Perseus and Andromeda fountain at Witley Court was seen in its full glory for the first time since before the Second World War.

English Heritage restorers watched in awe as the 120-jet fountain was tested in bright sunshine ahead of the Easter weekend visitor schedule.

"People were gasping when it first fired," said Margaret Oakden, regional historic properties manager for English Heritage.

"It's never been seen firing in this way for almost 70 years. It's a real treat for everybody and it was perfect.

"It's been traumatic trying to get it ready on time but it looked good. We had around 300 people there and they keep coming in."

The fountain, which depicts the Greek myth, has not been used since the 1937 fire at Witley Court.

It was almost snapped up and taken to Chicago by singing star Bing Crosby, who wanted to put it at the racecourse he co-owned with actor Stewart Grainger.

The 20-ton block sculpture has been compared to the Trevi Fountain in Italy and fountains at Versailles, France.

The water feature and surrounding gardens have been brought back to life after around £1m of restoration work.

A £727,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund helped with the bulk of the cost. The rest came from English Heritage, which has managed the property since 1984.

English Heritage has had to restore the monument housing the jets, as well as engineering work on the jets themselves.

Damaged

Pegasus' wings have been re-carved after they were damaged in a lightning strike. Perseus has also had a new head after the strike, which has led to his bronze spear being replaced by a non-conducting glass fibre resin.

The fountain will be on show to the public throughout the Easter weekend with the first jets being fired at 11am and full firings three times a day.

It will then be fired at 2pm on weekdays and at 11am, 2pm and 4pm at weekends.