KEYS to Reading Abbey Gateway have been handed over in anticipation of the reopening of the ruins on June 16.

More than £3m is being spent on restoring the 900-year-old landmark, which will be unveiled during the town's Water Fest.

Steve Underwood, of Abbey Gate Locksmiths, has lovingly crafted a gothic lock case for the main entrance and restored an original lock with new keys to the old tower door.

The ruins closed in 2009 as they were no longer safe to be open to the pubic.

Heritage Lottery funding of £1.77m and match funding of £1.38m from the council has secured the future of the site for years to come.

Councillor Tony Page, deputy leader of the council, said: “This well-crafted lock and key are a perfect symbol of the Abbey Gateway’s completion, as well as heralding the opening of the Abbey Ruins.

“The gateway has a rich and varied history, including its claim to fame as the former classroom of the writer Jane Austen.

"It will make a great space for the museum’s popular Victorian classroom experience from September.”

Reading Abbey played a key role in the country's history, until Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the mid Sixteenth Century.

Steve, who has more than 40 years' experience, had to work hard after the old lock went missing, with only one keyhole remaining.

He added: “It has been a pleasure to use my craft to make new keys to the old tower lock and to make a new tailor-made lock to the main entrance door, using all my skills as a master locksmith.

"I founded Abbey Gate Locksmiths 14 years ago and named it after this iconic Reading landmark.”

The project has conserved the remains of Reading Abbey and the Abbey Gateway, which was unveiled in April.

Councillor Sarah Hacker, lead member for culture, said: “Steve has done a fantastic job crafting such a beautiful lock for the Abbey Gateway.

"The handover of the keys to the gateway is fitting in the countdown to the reopening of the Abbey Ruins on June 16.”