Work has commenced on a £489,000 project to restore the Montagu Monuments in Warton.

The project has been made possible thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £318,000.

The monuments consist of four marble memorial sculptures of international importance which attract visitors from all over the world, with two of the monuments created by Roubiliac.

Restoration work on the structures has now started with the cleaning of the most recent monument, dedicated to Lady Elizabeth Montagu Duchess of Buccleuch.

St Edmund's Parochial Church Council and the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust are leading the project, and have appointed The Prince's Regeneration Trust (PRT) as project manager to oversee the conservation work. PRT will also be responsible for managing the delivery of a programme of activities to improve access and heritage interpretation, create a new learning and outreach programme, and engage the local community.

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Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of PRT, said: "These monuments are a hidden gem in the heart of Northamptonshire, but the marble has now reached a worrying state of deterioration. It is a huge relief that the HLF has provided the funding and that the work can now start.

"The setting of these sculptures, a medieval church in a quiet Northampton village, makes the experience of seeing them even more special and unique. It is our responsibility to make sure these internationally-important monuments receive the care and attention they deserve."

Vanessa Harbar, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, added: "These four monumental statues are considered masterpieces of exceptional significance, spanning the Georgian era from 1749 to 1829.

"Two of them are designed by Louis Francois Roubiliac, widely considered the greatest sculptor in England in the 18th century. Problems with the monuments were first highlighted in the 1970s, it is great news that appropriate preservation work has now commenced.

"HLF is delighted to play our part in ensuring Northamptonshire can share these magnificent pieces of craftsmanship with future generations."

The restoration placement is to work alongside conservation and restoration professionals at Skillingtons, who have been commissioned to carry out the work.

Work on the monuments is scheduled to be completed in December 2014.

(JP/IT)