Historic ceiling paper spruced up

The rare Morris print was installed at Newark Park in 1898

Historic William Morris ceiling paper at a Gloucestershire stately home is getting its first clean in a century.

The rare Morris print, designed for a banqueting room at St James' Palace, was part of a major redecoration at Newark Park, Ozleworth, in 1898.

The National Trust is investing £3,500 to have the visibly deteriorating paper cleaned and preserved.

Visitors will be able to watch paper conservator Allyson McDermott at work over the next week.

She will operate from a portable scaffold in the dining room using specialist equipment, including brushes, micro vacuums and sponges.

Visitor services manager Michael Claydon said: "The spectacular Morris print is my favourite ceiling in the house and is much remarked upon by visitors.

"We hope that visitors to Newark Park over the coming week will enjoy seeing the work being done and take the opportunity to ask the specialist paper conservator about her work."