A HALF-million-pound pledge from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been secured by Helmsley Walled Garden.

The lottery cash will help pay for a major project to restore a Victorian vinery to its former glory and work is to start on April 26. The garden staff and supporters got the good news last week.

In addition to the lotto windfall, £250,000 of 'matching' funding has already been raised by workers, volunteers and helpers through other trusts and their own fundraising enterprises, to top up the £505,000, lottery money.

A further £100,000 is still needed to complete the project, but staff at the garden are confident it can be done.

"It's taken a lot of work and time but finally we're here," said head gardener Paul Radcliffe.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund does not normally allow work to go ahead until the full costs are in place, but they have made an exception and we are confident we will raise the full £850,000 required for the whole project."

The 180ft long vinery will be restored to its original purpose, with a vine in each arch, and visitors will be able to sit beneath the vines to eat and drink from the cafe.

Members of the Northern Fruit Group have donated 34 Victorian vines to the garden, which Paul is delighted about: "It is the best vine collection in the country, including the Alnwick seedling which was missing for 100 years. The seed has also been sent to Alnwick Castle and the Royal Horticulture Society's garden at Wisley," he added.

The garden was built around 1880, and was used continually as a vinery until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

The garden sells its produce to visitors, through its cafe and shop.

Wine and table grapes will be produced from the vines and sold to visitors.

The project also includes development of outbuildings and kitchens, and its second phase will see the restoration of the orchard house and green house.

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, April 21, 2004