The artist who struggled to save Watford’s bandstand when its existence came under threat in the 1970s has expressed joy at its recent restoration and return to Cassiobury Park.

Erica Adams, now aged 84, had painted the bandstand and when she heard about its plight in 1971, contacted the Watford Observer in a desperate bid to save it.

Mrs Adams, who now has two great-grandchildren and seven grandchildren, sold her bandstand paintings to buyers in three different countries. She got the backing of prominent people in Watford, including musicians who loved the bandstand, and began a campaign to save it.

The council found a new home for the bandstand in Watford’s public square, next to the Central Library, but now – with new funding – it has returned home.

READ MORE: £6.6 million Cassiobury Park restoration taking shape.

Erica, who described the bandstand as "perfectly formed and very beautiful", said: “It’s been worth the wait. Thank goodness I have not died before I knew it was coming home.”

The Hill & Smith structure opened in its original parkland home in 1912 at a time when Cassiobury House was still home to the Earls of Essex.

The manor was demolished in 1927 when the Earls ran into financial difficulties and could no longer afford to maintain it.

Watford Borough Council bought most of the park – previously part of the Earls’ estate – between 1908 and 1913, so the beauty spot could be enjoyed by the wider public.

For years public bandstand performances attracted thousands, but by the 1970s the structure had passed its heyday, falling into disrepair, and its future came under threat.

The bandstand has been restored as part of a council-led £6.6m restoration project – funded by the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery funds.

The Cha Café has gone through an extensive refurbishment and reopened on Saturday.

In addition, the paddling pools are being transformed while a new environmentally friendly hub is being erected next to them as part of the monumental works programme.

The bandstand will officially be reopened on Sunday, September 4.