Helicopter helps with tower repairs

Helicopter helps with tower repairs

The tower, at the top of the tor, will be closed for six months

Vital repairs to the historic tower on Glastonbury Tor are getting under way - with the help of a helicopter.

St Michael's Tower, which stands on top of one of Somerset's most famous landmarks, is to be covered in scaffolding for the next six months.

The fabric of the tower is being damaged by modern cement pointing, which needs to be replaced with a traditional lime mortar mix.

Repairs to stone and metalwork on the parapet will also be carried out while the scaffolding - carried to the top of the tor by helicopter - is in place.

Essential work

The repairs, which have been funded by a £314,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and more than £105,000 of donations, are expected to be finished by October.

The tower will be closed to the public while the work is completed.

"We have already carried out improvements to the entrances and footpaths around the tor," said Adrian Woodhall, National Trust property manager.

"Now the repair work must begin.

"We do regret the disappointment to visitors this summer but the work is essential for the long-term future of the tower."