The unveiling this week of the first in a series of dragons that will adorn the Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens marks a significant step forward in the conservation project aimed at returning the landmark to its original appearance.

The restoration is sponsored by the House of Fraser department store, which is part of the Nanjing-headquartered Sanpower Group, and will see 80 dragons decorate the pagoda.

The restoration draws on similarities between the Kew pagoda and Nanjing's Porcelain Pagoda, which is believed to have inspired English architect Sir William Chambers when he designed Kew's Great Pagoda in the 18th century.