Attingham Park restoration work starts

Attingham Park's picture gallery was built by John Nash in 1805

Work has started on a £1.4m restoration of a roof at a historic property in Shropshire.

The two-year scheme will see the roof replaced above the picture gallery at Attingham Park, outside Shrewsbury.

The National Trust, which owns the 18th Century property, said it had leaked ever since it was built by architect John Nash.

Specialists will also be refurbishing glass domes over the grand staircase.

In 1805 Nash was asked to re-model Attingham's original George Steuart design, to create an exhibition space.

Nash used cast iron to support glazed panels in a bid to increase the amount of light over the picture gallery.

A spokesman said the roof was 'flashy but flawed', with bills for damage caused by leaks dating back as early as 1807.

The restoration project will see a new glass roof installed over Nash's original.