Restoration work on two 100-year-old guns in the St. David?s Battery, Great Head Park, St. George?s, has been completed.

Environment Minister Randolph Horton, speaking at a press conference, said the Parks Department had done an excellent job in restoring the two six-inch breech loaded guns.

He added: ?Constructed in 1910 to defend the entrance to the Narrows Channel that leads into St. George?s Harbour, the St. David?s Battery was in use until 1957.

?The Battery was armed with two 9.2-inch and two six-inch breech loading guns. The 9.2-inch guns were the largest guns ever mounted in Bermuda and had a range of seven miles.

?During the Second World War the two six-inch guns were one of Bermuda?s only coastal defences to protect against enemy invasion.? Mr. Horton said the guns were an important part of the Island?s heritage.

?Preserving such historical items will contribute to the educational experience of our young people, future generations of Bermudians, and also our visitors, many of whom have a keen interest in Bermuda?s cultural heritage, and in particular in our historic fortifications.?

The next step in the project is the restoration of the two larger 9.2-inch breech-loading guns. Mr. Horton said there were only nine such guns left in the world. ?Three of them are located in Bermuda, including the two here at St. David?s Battery,? he said.

?As these extremely rare guns are being restored, exhibits will be developed to interpret the Battery and honour the servicemen who played such an important part in Bermuda?s defence.?