Big cats guard Bishop's demesne

The old sculpture... and the new one which will replace it

Big cats are back in the north coast... but don't worry, they're not roaming the countryside.

Instead, they are firmly fixed to the so-called Lion Gate which guards the entrance to the demesne of the former Bishop of Derry, Frederick Augustus Hervey, at Downhill.

The stone ounces - heraldic beasts similar to lynxes or leopards - are replicas of originals which stood atop the gateposts for two centuries.

The poor condition of the single remaining 18th century ounce - its twin had fallen from its perch many years earlier - meant it had to be removed for safety reasons in 2005.

It was taken to a specialist stone conservator in London, where it was restored and used as a model for the new ounces.

Its degraded stone surface had to be stabilised and a special brace was designed to support the weight of its body.

The cat was then remodelled in clay and used as a guide to the craftsman who carved the new ounces.

The original ounce had to be removed for safety reasons in 2005

The sculptor, Corin Johnston, travelled to Downhill on Wednesday see the ounces safely installed on their plinths.

"They're about two foot long, a metre and a half high, and they weigh about a ton and a half each," he explained.

"They are made from Forest of Dean stone, which comes from near Wales.

"We chose it because it was the same colour as the original, but much more hard-wearing.

"They should last for a few hundred years at least," he said.

Property Manager for the National Trust on the north coast, Max Bryant, said the ounces were an important part of the charity's work in the area.

"Downhill and the Mussenden Temple is very important to the National Trust - it's one of the symbols of the north coast.

"The gate looks very impressive, and it's something we want to build on and develop for the 25,000 visitors who come here each year," he said.