Windfall to fund castle restoration

A project to restore a south Shropshire castle has received £880,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It means conservation workers can press on with plans to safeguard Hopton Castle.

The money will allow Hopton Castle Preservation Trust to purchase the Grade 1 listed castle and carry out work so that it can be safely opened to the public.

Interpretation boards telling the story of the castle throughout the last nine centuries will also be created at the castle, near Craven Arms, and through a website and printed information.

Sula Rayska, project manager for the trust, said: "At present the castle, which is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is in a dilapidated condition and is on the Buildings at Risk List published by English Heritage.

"Despite its historical importance, largely arising from a notorious siege and massacre during the civil war, there is no public access at present."

The trust was set up in 1997 to purchase and restore the castle.

The Heritage Lottery Fund said last year that it would be able to support the bid to restore the castle.

The trust has since been developing final plans and details to enable the release of the funds. Restoration work is now scheduled to begin as soon as the legal transfer is completed.

Lottery fund regional manager Anne Jenkins said: "We've been working with the trust for some time now and I'm delighted that all the plans are now in place and work can begin."

Tom Baker, secretary to the trust, said: "It is very good news for Hopton Castle and we hope the surrounding area will also benefit."