Tyntesfield house bell tower to be lifted back in place

The bell spire was removed from Tyntesfield House in May 2009

A bell spire which was removed from historic Tyntesfield house for repairs has been lifted back in place.

The 10m (33ft) spire was lifted off the tower at the estate near Bristol by an 88-tonne crane in May 2009.

Since then, the spire's oak frame has been repaired and new clay tiles have been added to the exterior.

The bell has also been repaired and fitted with a new clapper so it can ring again.

Tim Cambourne, the senior building surveyor for the restoration project, said the bell tower being winched back represented the "culmination" of work on the house.

"We've been on site for two years and it finishes in December so this is the last big thing to go back," he said.

Tyntesfield House near Wraxall is considered to be one of the greatest Victorian private houses to have survived intact.

Following the death of Lord Wraxall in 2001 the National Trust began emergency fundraising to save the estate for the nation.

Through public donations and a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, £25m was raised in 100 days.

In 2006 Tyntesfield secured a further £20m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.