A project milestone has been reached a £5.6 million regeneration scheme in Falkirk.

As part of the town centre's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), the weather cockerel on the town's Steeple has been reinstated following repair and re-gilding works by AL Sillars of Glasgow.

Land Engineering is continuing with repair works to the clock faces and mechanisms, as well as stone repairs and re-pointing. Work will now begin to remove scaffolding in stages from the top of the Steeple.

The Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland is providing £443,000 towards the restoration works, which is part of the multimillion-pound THI scheme.

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The development aims to help regeneration by restoring, repairing and preserving the town's heritage features and historic buildings, in a bid to create a more attractive streetscape, boost business and encourage more visitors, residents, services and retailers to the area.

Cllr Dennis Goldie said: "The Falkirk Steeple is a real local treasure for many people. This project along with other THI restoration projects is helping to invest and conserve the town centre's rich heritage at a time when our high streets continue to face difficult trading conditions."

Lucy Casot, Head of the HLF Scotland, said: "The Steeple is part of Falkirk's roots and a prominent historic landmark in the town. Thanks to the THI programme, it will now have a new lease of life. This is an exciting step forward in the area's on-going transformation."

(LM/MH)