A project to conserve a historic blast furnace in the Forest of Dean has finished, following work on its flue accessories.

The structure is the only coke-fuelled blast furnace remaining in the forest and steel pins have been fitted into its flue in order to ensure that it is not at risk of collapsing, reports the BBC.

In addition, the structure's stonework has been pointed in order to further protect it from damage, with the refurbishment funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Forest of Dean Local Action.

The work was completed as part of the £2.8 million lottery project Overlooking the Wye, which aims to support conservation works on at-risk sites.

Work has also been undertaken to restart a blast furnace at the SSI steel plant in Redcar.

Four stoves have now been lit ahead of the gas furnace's reactivation, although it will take a number of weeks for them to reach a sufficient working temperature.