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A town widely recognised as the UK's first seaside resort is getting a whopping £14million revamp. Workers are nearing the end of a year-long restoration of Scarborough's Grade II-listed railway station.

A new roof, drainage system, restored stonework and clocktower formed part of the work, with hawks deployed to stop gulls nesting during roofing work last summer. The building dates back to 1845 and was designed by British architect George Townsend Andrews. Its features include a glazed roof and original platform roofs described by Historic England as "a unique survival" for a station of its size.

Ann Shannon, who is Network Rail's project manager for the work, said significant progress has been made at the station. She added: "It's great to see the results taking shape."

Ms Shannon said new louvres - angled slats used to keep out water and debris - have been installed and the main train-shed roof fully repaired, repainted and fitted with new lights.

She added: "While there's still important work to complete in the ticket office, waiting area and on the clocktower, we remain on track to finish by March 31."

The project manager said the work also presented a rare opportunity to restore the station's clocktower to its former glory. Added in 1882, the baroque feature is described as "elaborate" by Historic England.

Repairs to its four clock faces, refurbishment of the tower itself and an upgrade to its lighting all formed part of the spruce up, which came thanks to a £203,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust.

Work also includes the clock hands being regilded with 23¾-carat double thick English gold leaf - a traditional heritage technique which is expected to last more than two decades. The same type of craftsmanship is used on cathedral clocks.

Gear mechanisms, parts of which protrude outside the clock, will be fully dismantled, cleaned, repainted, regreased and reassembled as part of work to repair weather damage.

Network Rail said work on the station roof began in 2021 and this made the station safe again. But work stalled before extra funding became available and the full restoration started in spring last year.

Scarborough's seaside location meant special paint, tiling and timbers had to be used to counter the saltiness of the sea air.

Ms Shannon said: "The finish line is now in sight, and visitors will see a real difference both inside and outside the station, with the beautifully restored clocktower providing the crowning glory."

Tim Hedley-Jones, Executive Director at the Railway Heritage Trust, said: "Having seen at close hand the effect of the weather and pollution on the clocktower, we are determined to support the restoration of this impressive structure so it can be appreciated by passengers and residents for generations to come."

He added the Trust was pleased to award one of its largest grants in recent years to the work by Network Rail and Colt Construction.