AN endangered historic building in danger of collapse in Alresford has secured a crucial grant from Hampshire County Council.

It has awarded the Alresford Society £5,000 to help pay for restoration at Eel House. The 1820s house was formerly used to trap young eels as they set out to breed, and was in operation until the early 1950s.

It is currently in poor condition and in need of major work at a cost of about £43,000. Due to the dangerous condition of Eel House, the footpath along the Arle Valley Trail has had to be closed until urgent work to the foundations has been carried out.

The grant will pay for the underpinning the structure, making it safe to reopen the trail and prevent the building from collapsing into the river.