REPAIR work on an historic castle near Trowbridge is getting underway next week to help save priceless medieval paintings from ruin.

The paintings, inside the Chapel of St Leonard at Farleigh Hungerford Castle, have been left exposed to damp and condensation because of a crumbling roof.

The Duke of Gloucester visited the castle last Thursday for a tour of the site.

As well as looking around the exhibitions on display in the Priest's House, the Duke also climbed the scaffolding inside the chapel to see the work in progress.

Workmen will descend on the medieval site on Monday to re-tile and board up the roof, which will improve the environmental conditions in the chapel.

The 14th century chapel will be closed to visitors while the work is carried out.

Ian Ashby of English Heritage said: "We have monitored the temperature and humidity of the chapel for a number of years and have found the poor condition of the roof is contributing to excessive condensation.

"This is damaging the important wall paintings and the chapel itself."

The work should be completed by February next year.

The chapel roof was replaced in 1600, with extensive repairs carried out in 1798 to save the chapel from ruin.