A WEATHERCOCK which has been a familiar feature on a school roof for years is ruling the roost once again.

The vane had sat proudly on Eastburn Junior & Infant School for decades but as the weather took its toll, it became battered and seized-up.

Now it has been restored by the school building manager, conservator David Hardman.

After removing it last year, he parted and sandblasted the rusted mechanism, made new bearings and repainted it in black and gold.

“The children are delighted to see it working again after so long,” said headteacher, Mrs Jo Waterhouse.

“It would be lovely to know more about the history of the weathercock.

“It will have been erected when their parents and even grandparents were young.

“Please get in touch with the school if you can shed any light on its history.”