A THREE year conservation project to restore a historic fireplace has finally been completed.

The project involved restoring the fireplace at the National Trust’s Paycocke’s House in Coggeshall, after it was reported in 2019 some of its 18th century tiles were damaged.

In early 2020, the tiles were removed, ready to travel to the specialist studio to be repaired before then being re-installed.

However, due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the first lockdown, the project had to be paused, only resuming at the beginning of this year.

The tiles returned to Paycocke’s in February and have now been refitted to the fireplace and repointed.

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Property operations manager for Paycocke’s House Kerith Ririe said: “We are delighted to have the Delft tiles restored in our parlour room at Paycocke’s House.

“Our visitors very much enjoy looking at them whilst they enjoy their tea and cake. The Delft tiles are a never-ending source of interest given the multitude of different stories told within them.

“However, time and wear and tear meant that some had come loose from their fixings.

“Every penny raised through tea and cake purchased from our tearoom goes towards the conservation of our special place, preserving it for future generations.”