Islington mayor Jason Jackson

ISLINGTON’S mayor was joined by his red-robed colleagues from across the capital as he unveiled the long-awaited Whittington Cat’s updated look.

The hospital’s namesake, the limestone cat at the bottom of Highgate Hill, has had a makeover to restore it to its former glory.

A notice was put up last year saying that “cleaning, repairs and sharpening of letters” would be carried out on the monument, and the finished product was ready on Sunday.

The stone after ‘cleaning, repairs and sharpening of letters’

The Whittington Cat has been perched atop the Whittington Stone since 1964, inspired by the rags-to-riches story of poor 14th-century orphan turned wealthy merchant and Lord Mayor of London, Richard “Dick” Whittington.

The cat sculpture, along with the stone, was listed in 1972.

The mayors gathered at the statue as part of the annual Whittington Walk which retraces the route of Richard Whittington into the City.

The restoration project was funded by Islington Council and Heritage of London Trust, and more than100 children have been involved in workshops contributing to the project.

Mayors gather for the unveiling of the new stone

“Dick Whittington inspired me by not giving up on the first go but kept on going until he succeeded,” said 11-year-old Amen, a pupil at St John’s Upper Holloway C of E School.

Ian Payne, chairman of the London Mayors’ Association, said: “The Whittington Stone is a much-loved part of London’s story, and it is a privilege to see it being carefully restored.

“The annual walk is a wonderful tradition that connects the City’s leadership with its history, and it is inspiring to see so many young people engaging with that heritage.”