Project to repair museum's historic walls begins

Councillor Danielle Brown said the gardens were "magnificent"

A project to restore damaged brickwork set in historic Grade II listed walls is under way.

The work is focused on the walls in the 17th Century garden and the unusual fruit garden at Harlow Museum in Essex.

It has required the removal of the attraction's resident honeybees who had made their home in a cavity in the structures.

"This specialist project will ensure the garden walls are safe and in good repair for many years to come," said councillor Danielle Brown.

The project, planned by Harlow Council, has seen old mortar and damaged bricks removed and replacements inserted.

The museum's resident honeybees were removed ahead of the work

Areas where repairs are made would stand out brighter and cleaner from the older brickwork and would show how the lime mortar would have looked hundreds of years ago, the council said.

It added that other species of bees would be allowed to flourish due to the removal of the honeybees, which were to be rehomed by specialists.

Ms Brown, the council's portfolio holder for community and wellbeing, said the museum's gardens were "magnificent".

"This project is all part of investing in and improving our much-loved community services, and there are further works planned," she added.

The project is due to be completed in November.