A TENDRING landmark is undergoing a £130,000 makeover.

Bosses from Veolia Water East say the major refurbishment on the water tower at Horsley Cross will see it returned to its former glory.

The mammoth task is expected to take until Christmas.

A spokesperson explained: “As part of Veolia Water East’s planned investment programme, Horsley Cross water tower is currently undergoing a refurbishment as the outer coating of the structure is reaching the end of its useful life.”

She explained that the refurbishment involves stripping off the roof layer and jet-washing it before applying a new one.

Remaining external surfaces will also be sprayed with an anti-fungal treatment and, once cleaned, they will then have a new coating applied.

Scaffolding currently surrounds the 30-metre tall tower while the work is being done.

The spokesperson added: “Once the scaffold has been removed, the tower will have returned to its former glory and will have been given another lease of life for years to come.”

The tower was built in 1952, ready for the queen’s coronation a year later, and holds 2,270 cubic metres of water.

It supplies Dovercourt and other coastal residential areas.

David Moss, of Mistley, was based at the tower for about six years when he was employee under its former name, Tendring Hundred Water.

He said the refurbishment was a “necessity”.

“It is concrete on steel and you have to maintain it, otherwise the steel breaks down and you get lumps break off, which could hit somebody on the ground,” he said.