ORNAMENTAL finials, which once proudly stood on Ilkley's suspension bridge, may be restored to their rightful home - after being rediscovered by a twist of fate.

The finials, which once topped the four towers of the bridge, were found when the old Yorkshire Water pumping house, on Denton Lane, was demolished.

They had lain in storage at the pumping house since a refurbishment of the bridge, in 1972. Hearing that the building was being destroyed Gilbert Ware, 88, who was employed by the old Ilkley Urban District Council and had removed the finials, became concerned for their safety.

His son, Michael, said: "We had not forgotten they were there. My father did a routine examination of the bridge and found that the cables were badly worn.

"They had to remove these finials. My father and somebody from street lighting moved them to the Denton Road pumping house and that is where they have been ever since."

The Ilkley Gazette contacted Yorkshire Water, on his behalf, and officials moved the finials to safety.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "We do have the finials. They are now going to be stored at Ilkley Waste Water Treatment Works."

Bradford City Council, which co-owns the bridge with Yorkshire Water, has now expressed an interest in them.

It is keen to use the finials as a feature at the bridge, which was built in 1934, as a refurbishment is due to begin after Easter.

Richard Todd, assistant engineer, with the bridge department of the city council, said: "We would like to use them because obviously it is part of the heritage of the bridge. At this stage we would like to reclaim them and use them for something from a history point of view."

Mr Todd was to inspect the four finials before deciding how they would best be replaced at the site.

He said: "It would be nice to put them back in their original position but this is highly unlikely.

"There are all sorts of considerations we are going to have to look at. I need to measure them up and get my thinking head on. We are positive about it. We would like to do something with them."

The finials were removed after they created a build-up of condensation, which rotted the cables of the bridge.

Michael Ware said he was delighted at the happy ending. He said: "It has saved them. I am glad they are not going to be destroyed."

l THE suspension bridge, as well as Denton Bridge, at Ben Rhydding, will be closed for eight weeks from Monday, April 23.

Motorists are being warned that while work is taking place at Denton Bridge there will be a diversion via a signed route to Ilkley town centre, New Brook Street and then Denton Road.

The suspension footbridge work, which includes steel-work repairs and repainting, is being jointly funded by Bradford Council and Yorkshire Water.