County Durham’s Killhope Wheel, a 19th-century water-wheel at the Killhope Lead Mining Museum (www.killhope.org.uk), has joined the ranks of the E-Type Jaguar and Concorde after being presented with the 110th IMechE Engineering Heritage Award.

The Killhope Wheel is the oldest (and largest) surviving William Armstrong water-wheel in the world; it was designed and manufactured by the famous Tyneside engineer at his Elswick Works around 1860 and was brought to Killhope in 1877.

Presenting the award on 29 September, IMechE (www.imeche.org) regional chairman Bowman Bradley said: “The Killhope Wheel is an outstanding example of 19th-century engineering.

"This award honours not just the fantastic work of William Armstrong, but also of the volunteers and staff who have restored the wheel and maintained it in such fantastic condition.”

Maria McArdle, operations officer at the Killhope Lead Mining Museum, said: “We are very proud to receive this prestigious award, which recognises the importance of the Killhope Wheel.

"The hard work and dedication of our staff mean that the iconic water-wheel remains at the centre of the museum, where visitors can experience the life of the lead-mining families of the past.”