STEPS on a famous walk in Clevedon have been upgraded thanks to the 'tireless work' of a civic society.
Poets' Walk steps saw a long restoration which inscribed new granite with the words of Alfred Tennyson in his famous elegy, In Memoriam.
The trail, near Marine Lake, follows the town's coastline around Church Hill and Wain's Hill.
It holds important cultural and historical significance in Clevedon and was named after poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Alfred Tennyson, who were inspired after visiting the town.
In recent years the steps fell into disrepair but have now been given a sprucing thanks to Clevedon Civic Society's 50th anniversary project.
The club reached the golden milestone last year but was forced to celebrate this week at The Salthouse pub.
To mark the special occasion, the society worked to restore the steps which commemorate, as a requiem, the return of Arthur Henry Hallam's body after he died at age 22.
Published in 1850, the elegy became a favourite for Queen Victoria following the death of her husband Prince Albert.
The idea of restoring the steps was first envisaged in 2009. But recently, the Covid pandemic and Brexit forced a delay in its construction.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 14, marked its official opening by president of the society for 22 years, Julia Hallam Elton.
She said: "I'd like to thank everyone involved in getting this project together so we can finally open this remarkable piece of history.
"The textured concrete and marble steps were shipped in from Portugal. The workers did a fantastic job, as well as builders PKP Building. A special thanks also goes out to North Somerset Council for facilitating the work.
"At this time of national mourning, we all know how a death can send shock waves through the world, as Arthur's death did amongst his contemporaries.
"In Memoriam is the greatest elegy in the English language, it's an exceptional piece of work that explores grief, resignation and acceptance.
"We hope the engraved steps will resonate with present-day visitors and local residents who may wish to find out more about the history of the town."
The civic society sponsored the project from funds generated by writing and selling books of local interest.
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