WORK has started on the next stage of a £3m project to save one of Hampshire's oldest treasures - part of which collapsed last year.
Historic Hurst Castle is owned by English Heritage, which has begun to strengthen a 19th century wall that now forms an important part of the site's sea defences.
The conservation charity has also started investigating the geology of Hurst Spit and the strength of the castle’s foundations.
The results are likely to shed new light on how best to safeguard the popular attraction from climate change and rising sea levels.
It comes after Hurst was identified as being one of the six most vulnerable coastal castles owned by English Heritage.
As reported in the Daily Echo, a huge amount of work has already been carried out since part of the fort toppled into the sea in February 2021.
The incident involved the outer wall of the castle's east wing, which was added in the 1800s.
About 22,000 tonnes of shingle and rocks have been used to build a large revetment - a manmade structure designed to break up and absorb the impact of waves.
The latest repair project involves work to bolster a wall built in the 1850s to define a ditch in front of the castle’s keep.
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Rob Woodside, English Heritage's estates director, said: “Although we have made great strides to protect Hurst Castle, this remains a challenging and ever-changing environment and coastal erosion and harsh sea storms continue to pose a risk.
"Ahead of the worst of the weather this winter, we are strengthening the counterscarp wall in front of the original part of the castle."
Mr Woodside added: "The ground investigations will help us understand the current state of the Spit and inform our planning for the future protection of the historic structure.”
The oldest part of Hurst Castle was built by Henry VIII between 1541 and 1544 to defend the western entrance to the Solent. It was part of a massive scheme that aimed to prevent the country from being invaded by France.
More than a century later King Charles 1 was imprisoned there ahead of his trial and execution in London in 1649.
The keep is open to the public every day until October 31, when the site closes for the winter.
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