Dumfries Peter Pan house project reaches milestone

A large crane was brought in to lower the beams into the roof of Moat Brae House in Dumfries

The major restoration of a house that helped to inspire the Peter Pan story has reached a construction milestone.

A large crane lowered three central roof beams into Moat Brae House on Irving Street in Dumfries.

It will allow builders to make the 1823 mansion - where author JM Barrie played as a child - wind and watertight.

Project director Cathy Agnew of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust said it was great to see "something so positive" after deconstruction work to date.

"It has visibly moved the project forward," she said.

"The old patient lift from Moat Brae's nursing home days has now been removed and three major central beams have been installed."

First phase works for the creation of a national centre for children's literature on the site are on schedule to be completed by the end of 2013.

Architects are currently working on the second phase which includes visitor facilities and developing land behind the house.