COUNCIL bosses waited two years from announcing their plan to restore Greenock's historic Lyle Fountain to advertising for a contractor to do the work — only to baulk at the bill and further delay the project.

The local authority pledged in early October 2018 to return the iconic 140-year-old landmark to its former glory — complete with drinking water — but didn't issue an invitation to tender until September last year.

Now, after the council discovered its budget for the work fell 'significantly' short of the actual cost, nothing will be done with the fountain until this summer at the earliest.

Meanwhile, an intention to return the Cathcart Square monument to its original practical purpose as a drinking fountain — announced by depute council leader Jim Clocherty in 2018 — has been abandoned.

The Telegraph told earlier this month how £130,000 set aside for the restoration wasn't enough when the only contractor considered suitable submitted a cost estimate far in excess of that figure.

Municipal Buildings bosses — who left the contractor's bill out of a report to elected members — have refused to reveal the amount, stating: "This information is commercially confidential."

Asked why the council didn't issue the invitation to tender for nearly two years, the local authority said it had 'taken time to finalise detailed plans, ensure funding is in place and prepare tender documents'.

Funding for the restoration was already in place as it was part of a £1.9m Greenock Regeneration Forum package announced by forum chairman, Cllr Clocherty, in 2018.

At that time Mr Clocherty said: "Regeneration is not just about building the new but ensuring we preserve, protect and renew the old.

"The fountain is a perfect example of Inverclyde's proud civic heritage and something that deserves to be given a new lease of life.

"We have found that water and electricity supplies to the fountain were disconnected some time ago but we are confident they can be restored.

"Our history and heritage are hugely important community assets and we will do all that we can to preserve and protect them for future generations."

But the council no longer intends to restore the fountain's drinking water function.

The local authority's spokesman said: "A separate drinking water fountain is being installed in Cathcart Square by Scottish Water."

The council is preparing to re-tender for the restoration in the belief that having the fountain taken off-site for the work to be carried out 'would assist in avoiding winter working and potentially reduce overall timescale and cost'.

Asked if a new tender had been prepared, the local authority's spokesman said: "Tendering documents will be prepared subject to available resources as our key focus right now, as you would expect, is on responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We would hope to issue within the next few months."

The fountain was gifted to Greenock by sugar magnate and former provost Abram Lyle in 1880.

It has an ornamental dome which featured the crests of 18 prominent Greenock families, including Ardgowan, Watt and Morton.

Another fountain, the Jubilee font on Ashton Promenade, was restored in 2019.