Griff celebrates by burying shoe

Griff Rhys Jones presents his shoes for burial at Ightham Mote

The completion of one of the National Trust's biggest-ever conservation projects was celebrated on Thursday with the burial of a shoe.

The £10m restoration of medieval manor house Ightham Mote at Sevenoaks, Kent, has taken 15 years to finish.

During the work shoes dating from as early as the 1600s were found. They had been hidden to ward off evil spirits.

TV presenter Griff Rhys Jones donated one of his own shoes to be buried in the library to carry on the tradition.

20th anniversary

"I have come here to bury a shoe and it is an honour," said Mr Rhys Jones, presenter of the BBC's Restoration series.

He said the work on the Mote had been done beautifully.

"When you go round you are very conscious of the simplicity and appropriateness of the restoration," he said.

The ceremony also marked the 20th anniversary of the acquisition of Ightham Mote by the National Trust.

The house was bequeathed to the trust by its last owner, American Charles Henry Robinson.

Workmen found a large number of shoes hidden under floorboards and in chimneys during the restoration.

One theory is that they were there to try to ensure the spirit of the deceased owner lives on.

The shoes are now on display to visitors and have been replaced in their hiding places by shoes belonging to the Mote's staff.