Statues at UNESCO site to be covered for winter

"Bespoke winter covers" will protect the marble statues at Blenheim Palace

Two sculptures at a UNESCO World Heritage site are to be covered up for the winter.

"Bespoke winter covers" will protect the marble statues at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from frost and other harsh weather.

The public will not be able to view the statues while they are covered, the palace said.

Kate Ballenger, keeper of palace collections, said the protection would help "keep the history alive for future generations".

Both statues are Italian and were made in the late 19th century

The statues will be covered within the next two weeks, and will remain that way until the spring.

The first sculpture set to be covered is Antonio Frilli's carved white figure of Venus on a cylindrical pedestal carved with a floral festoon, signed "A. Frilli, Firenze".

The second sculpture is Orazio Andreoni's carved figure of Venus, also on a cylindrical pedestal carved with a floral festoon and indistinctly signed "Andreoni, Roma".

Both sculptures are Italian and were acquired by the 9th Duke of Marlborough in about 1925.

Blenheim Palace said the covers were "necessary".

Ms Ballenger said: "The continuous conservation, cleaning, and care as well as the process of covering historic items during winter not only protects them from low temperatures but ensures that we keep the history alive for future generations to enjoy."