THE cost of replacing part of the roof at Dunster Castle has more than doubled.
The major project got under way last year when workmen started to peel back lead covering after water leaked into the roof void and rooms underneath, causing paint to peel away, brickwork to crumble to dust and floorboards to rot.
The project was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007, but it now looks likely the work will not be finished before next summer.
Alex Brannen, spokesman for owners the National Trust, said the roof had been discovered to be in a considerably worse condition than was first expected.
The project was first estimated to cost £400,000, but will now cost around £900,000. The trust has erected a huge scaffold over the west and east fronts of the castle, which spans the whole building to encompass the roof.
The section of roof being repaired is roughly an area the size of two tennis courts.
More than ten tonnes of lead are being used to re-cover it.
The famous Leather Gallery is directly below the roof and the trust has had to protect the hangings for the duration of the project.
The King Charles Room has also been emptied of all furniture.
English Heritage and the National Trust are jointly financing the work.
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