Griff Rhys Jones backs restoration of Colchester Jumbo water tower

Construction of the 110ft (35m) tower, nicknamed Jumbo, began in 1882

Comedian Griff Rhys Jones has supported the restoration of a Victorian municipal water tower, said to be the country's largest.

The comic and heritage campaigner said Colchester's Balkerne Water Tower, nicknamed Jumbo, was an "extraordinary piece of construction".

He said people wanted it to be a functional part of the city centre.

North Essex Heritage was given £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to work on its plans.

Funding was awarded to help progress plans before it applies for a full National Lottery grant later.

The charity aims to use the funding to make the landmark commercially viable.

It hopes to pay for the building's upkeep by running it as a destination venue, restaurant, visitor experience and historical interpretation space.

Griff Rhys Jones is president of the Victorian Society

Rhys Jones, who describes himself as an "Essex boy" and is also president of the Victorian Society, said he had a lot of love for the county and the Grade ll*-listed landmark.

"It towers above Colchester, it is beautiful and adds character, colour, and story," he told the BBC.

"All of these are important to keep a town a good place to visit. It is part of the commercial future of Colchester.

"Victorians didn't waste money when they built; they put a lot into making the most magnificent things in Britain. Under those circumstances, it would be a shocking waste of money to throw it away."

• Listen: 'We can save Jumbo'

Rhys Jones said his message to the National Lottery was to "have faith" in the future of the "magnificent piece of architecture and symbol of history".

North Essex Heritage has a 150-year lease on the 110ft (35m) tower, which was used to bring clean water to the town until 1984.

Victorian engineers began building Jumbo in 1882 and it was taken out of service by Anglian Water around 1982. The Victorian Society said the structure was the tallest remaining Victorian water tower in Great Britain.