Cash raised for castle restoration work

An appeal to restore the historic Powis Castle entrance has raised £500,000 thanks to the generosity of the public.

Supporters of the castle were asked to help restore the crumbling East Front which was once the main, grand entrance which welcomed major figures in British and world history.

The entrance has been closed off to the public since the building was donated to the National Trust back in 1952, but in recent years the steps have been crumbling and the castle's building consultant said the wall of one of the terraces is in danger of collapse.

The retaining wall is falling, which could affect the structural stability of the east side of the castle.

But restoration work is now due to start in December after a successful appeal to raise the half a million pounds needed to pay for the specialist repairs. The appeal looked to raise £300,000 from public donations and the rest from grants.