London's 40-odd Victorian and Edwardian fountains to be restored

London, June 15 (ANI): London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced that over 40 Victorian and Edwardian fountains will be restored in eight Royal Parks, including Hyde Park, enabling the public to drink water from them for the first time in decades.

According to The Times, Tiffany and Co. Foundation will fund the restoration, making an 850,000-pound donation to the Royal Parks Foundation.

Under the programme, called Tiffany - Across the Water, between 25 and 30 of the Royal Parks' 43 drinking fountains will be restored.

A new fountain in St James's Park will also be created.

Older fountains that are so decayed that they can no longer be used for drinking will be replaced.

An international competition is to be launched to design the new fountains.

The programme was launched at the Italian Gardens, which will also be improved, in Kensington Gardens.

Johnson said the Tiffany grant would enable the restoration of a "beautiful and civilised" amenity. (ANI)