ONE of the most prominent historic features of the Worcester city scene was emerging from a major restoration at this time a century ago.

The Journal of 1903 stated: "The work of restoring Edgar Tower will be completed in a week or so. It has been a long and by no means easy task. The building has been almost hidden by scaffolding for nearly seven months. The cost, probably exceeding £2,000, will be borne by the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral.

"A local firm has been effecting the repairs in accordance with the plans of Mr T.G Jackson, the well-known Royal Academician.

Archaeologists will be interested to learn that in carrying out the work, the architect has been animated with the desire to preserve the ancient character of the building.

"The east and west fronts have been restored, and the roof has been repaired and the old lead replaced by new. New windows have been inserted in the north-east and south-east turrets, and several cracks have been filled up.

"The niches and canopies have been reproduced, and before the work is finished the old effigies will be replaced. The central figure will be that of King Edgar, which was removed some time ago owing to the danger of its falling, and on each side will probably be effigies of Edgar's two queens, Elfreda and Elfrida. These were the figures which originally occupied the niches on the west front.

"One would probably have to go back to the 18th Century for a restoration so complete as the present one."