CALNE Without Parish Council has adopted a Victorian well house in Derry Hill, which will cost £10,232 to renovate.

The council has been unable to discover who owns the dilapidated structure, so it has decided to become its custodian to protect it for the future.

The Wiltshire Historical Building Trust, which recently carried out a survey on the Grade II-listed building, which was built in 1900, estimates it will cost £10,232 to restore the well house.

The council hopes funding can be found by the trust and work completed on the well house before winter. Calne Without parish has pledged £500 to the project and will insure the well house when work is completed.

Parish council chairman Derick Eadon said: "We will have the responsibility of looking after it for perpetuity and ensuring an important part of our heritage is preserved for the future."

The well house was built by landowner William Henry Poynder, Baron Islington. It is believed it was a place where travellers on the Bath to London road could water their horses.

When the trust gets enough funds the building's list will be corrected and its rotting timber supports replaced. The foliage around the base of the well house will be cut back and the roof removed so new tiles can be added.

Colin Johns, architect to the Wiltshire Historical Building Trust said: "These monuments are what gives a place distinctiveness They are part of the history and character of a place and we are happy to support this project."