WITH fund-raising now complete, refurbishment work is set to begin over the next few days on the "the mushroom" viewpoint on Scout Scar, overlooking Kendal and the Lyth Valley.

Members of Kendal South Westmorland Rotarians will begin work on the structure on Monday, April 15, when the existing dome is removed and improvements are made to the masonry and paintwork of the viewpoint, which was constructed in 1912 to commemorate the Coronation of George V in 1912.

In mid-May, a spun stainless steel dome, specially made in Bradford, will arrive and a panoramic map of the surrounding fells will be etched on the rim by a local craftsman.

The work is expected to be complete in early June and a special opening ceremony is being planned, details of which will be announced at a later date.

Work was due to start last year but was delayed because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Fund-raising for the project has taken nearly two years and the work is estimated to cost around £7,000.

The clerk of Underbarrow and Bradleyfield Parish Council Jackie Richardson co-ordinated the fund-raising campaign and told the Gazette she was grateful to the generosity of local people, groups, trusts and societies.

The project also received a £ 5,000 lottery grant last October.

"Everybody has been absolutely fantastic," she said.

"I am over the moon about this and I'm sure that the end result will be very, very pleasing to everyone."

Mrs Richardson carried out a public consultation exercise two years ago and the public wanted the viewpoint to remain in its present form rather than be replaced with a new look structure.

The elements and vandals have taken their toll on the existing viewpoint, which is currently in poor repair.