Plans to fix Colchester Castle roof damaged by heavy rain

Colchester Castle is a Grade I listed building and dates back to 1076

A council is appealing for funds to fix the roof of a Grade I listed castle.

Colchester Castle is one of 159 new entries on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register due to issues with drainage on the roof.

The monument, which dates from 1076 and is run by Colchester City Council, is considered at "immediate risk".

Castle manager Pippa Pickles said the building was still safe for tourists, adding: "They are damp issues not dangerous issues."

Historic England has approved plans to remodel the "inadequate draining system" which has been "overwhelmed" by persistent rainfall in recent months, said a spokesperson for the museum.

Earlier this year, advisers from Historic England said work was necessary to reverse the declining condition of certain areas of the building.

Colchester Castle sits on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius

The roof was added to the castle in the 1930s and large puddles have started forming on the flat sections.

Fencing has been put up to protect the external walls until the vulnerable sections start to stabilise, the museum said.

The castle was a royal fortress throughout the Middle Ages and was considered a blueprint for the Tower of London.

Michelle Burrows of Colchester City Council said: "Colchester Castle sits on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius and is today an extremely popular tourist destination and thriving modern museum.

"Like all historic buildings, maintenance is continually required, and we are working hard to apply for funding to enable this additional work to be carried out."