STONEMASONS have been hanging from ropes 160ft off the ground to check the condition of the National Trust’s King Alfred’s tower near Stourhead.

The trust is planning a major repair of the tower and the daring stonemasons were on hand to carry out an essential survery before the work starts.

The National Trust is still fundraising for the final £24,000 needed to complete the work.

Earlier this year they were given £96,000 by Viridor Credits Environmental Company after they were shown the huge public affection for the building on the Stourhead Facebook page.

There has been much other support locally, including a very generous donation from the Mackintosh Foundation which was championed by local resident Sir Cameron Mackintosh. Esther Stewart, fundraising manager for the National Trust, said: “‘We know that King Alfred’s Tower is really special to many people who live nearby or come to visit Stourhead and we’ve been touched by the many, many messages of support we have been given.

“We’re close to having enough money for this work – if we can raise the final £24,000, we will be able to get the repairs started later this year.”

The repairs to the Tower are part of a wider £640,000 project to repair the 14 buildings features and structures around the grounds at Stourhead.

For more information go to nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead/donate-now.