Restoration plan at estate temple

Work on the temple is expected to be finished by February 2010

An historic Georgian temple on an 18th century Wiltshire country estate is to be restored to its former glory as part of a £290,000 project.

The National Trust employed a garden historian to research documentary evidence about the Temple of Apollo at Stourhead.

By comparing the findings with other classical buildings, she has helped architects recreate the temple's roof.

The work is expected to be finished by February next year.

Project manager Emily Blanshard, said: "The original roof has gone through several manifestations since it was built.

"Photographs from the 1890s show it in its sorriest state with its windows broken, a flat roof or no roof at all.

"It stayed exposed to the elements until the 1950s when the National Trust was able to finally reroof the temple."

The temple was built in 1765 by Henry Hoare as his finishing touch to the landscape garden.