Ledbury architects Stainburn Taylor and Michael Reardon have played a key role in the £1m restoration of historic Wilton Castle, near Ross.

The Church Lane practice was appointed architect for the privately-owned fortress in 1996. It was then on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register.

On Tuesday, there was an open day where Ian Stainburn showed groups round and talked about the progress of the project to date.

Mr Stainburn said the castle was still a building site, but added: "It went very well. Only about a dozen people went round but our clients were thrilled to bits.

"I feel very privileged to have been involved in obtaining the funding and managing the restoration of this magnificent castle, which has been both challenging and rewarding."

Urgent work has been carried out to the south-west tower, which has been stabilised and repaired.

During this week, a stone spiral staircase in relatively good condition was an unexpected discovery.

Following further grant aid from English Heritage, work has now started on the renovation of the north-west towers and west curtain wall and these should be completed by the summer.

The gardens and immediate surroundings also need to be restored, in time for the owners, the Parslow family, to move in later this year.