Lottery cash has ensured a statue of Queen Victoria will be given much needed regal repairs.

A £20,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant will see the statue of the famous monarch restored after years of decay.

The monument in Gravesend Borough Market, was presented to the town in 1898 by mayor of Milton George Arnold.

The statue was originally set to stand in Darnley Road, but arrived with its glazing damaged.

It was decided it would not be able to take the weather conditions of an outside site and was placed in the market.

As a result a new statue was arranged with one located in Darnley Road and another in the market.

Both statues are still standing but unfortunately in a sorry state, however only the market statue is under the jurisdiction of Gravesham council. The other is the responsibility of Kent County Council.

It is believed restoration work will begin on the statue after the £1.8million refurbishment of the market building has taken place.

Council leader Cllr John Burden said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure this grant which will enable the statue to remain a centrepiece of one of England’s oldest charter markets.

“The market itself is due to be refurbished by an £1.8m grant from the Coastal Communities Fund and today’s news is very much the icing on the cake.”