THE last of the funding to restore the 17th century Corsham Almshouses has finally been received.

The trustees of the Lady Margaret Hungerford Charity are delighted to have received the final cheque from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the £1.5 million project, which began 13 years ago.

The grant of £684,000 was part of the money raised to restore the grade I-listed building, described by English Heritage as one of the most important in the South West because almost all its original features were still in tact.

"We are indebted to the lottery fund for the grants they have given us," said clerk to the trustees Richard Tonge.

"It has been a long and complicated project and we are relieved that it has been successfully completed."

The almshouses and adjoining schoolroom were built in 1668 on the orders of Lady Margaret Hungerford, the widow of one of Cromwell's Civil War commanders, to provide affordable housing for local people.

The newly-restored building, which was reopened by The Duke of Kent last year, is now home to 11 people who have local connections. Its schoolroom and grounds are open to the public during the tourist season.

The restoration was beset with difficulties and delays caused by the discovery of structural problems when the roof was removed.

"All this pain is behind us now," said Mr Tonge. "We still have to pay off the debts but we now feel we are meeting the far sighted obligations set out by Lady Margaret Hungerford."