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The Persius and Andromeda fountain, at Witley Court in Worcestershire, was the centrepiece of the magnificent grounds at this stately home.

The fountain was designed by William Nesfield, in 1857, and took three years to build.

Here are some of the key facts about this remarkable structure:

Fountain by Frederick Lampitt

* The theme of the sculpture is a tale from Greek mythology, where Perseus rides on Pegasus to rescue Andromeda, who's been chained to a rock as a sacrifice to the sea God Poseidon.

* The sculpture is 28 feet high, and the largest stone weighs 20 tonnes.

* To get the stonework to Witley Court the road had to be raised.

* The water came from a special reservoir 130 feet up in the hills above the fountain.

* The fountain could only run on full power for two hours before the water ran out.

* Just after the war Bing Crosby and Stewart Grainger planned to take the statue to the USA.

* The restored fountain has a million litres (220,000 gallons) of water in its basin.