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Experts help Dudley Zoo restore historic Tectons

Dudley Zoo has joined forces with history experts to ensure accurate materials and techniques are used to restore famous buildings at the site.

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The attraction was given the go-ahead to restore four Tecton structures at the Castle Hill attraction to their former glory by Dudley Council earlier this month.

Work will be carried out on the zoo entrance and nearby Safari Shop next September followed by the Bear Ravine and kiosk in spring 2014.

And bosses at the zoo were determined historically accurate materials and techniques would be used in the restoration project.

Members of the 20th Century Society have helped the attraction find the exact concrete formula used to make the buildings so it can be recreated for the restoration.

Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock has also attended a four-day course in Sussex on concrete mixing and building repair. An apprentice-training scheme will also be launched giving building and construction students from Dudley College the chance to learn new skills and techniques.

The scheme forms part of an ongoing programme which will see all 12 Tectons repaired and maintained at the site and has been funded by £1.15 million lottery cash.

Mr Suddock said: "These are exciting times and so much work has already gone on behind the scenes. It will be a delight to start on the programme and we are counting down the days."

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