An 'at risk' historic barn in Havering has moved a step closer to being restored.

A decision approved by Havering Council on April 24 marked the start of a tendering process for restoration work at Upminster Tithe Barn in Hall Lane.

The council document revealed that it would be carrying out essential rethatching, structural repairs and electrical works at an estimated cost of £450,000.

This sum, it said, will be met out of a £650,000 grant received by the council from the Lower Thames Crossing Fund in January.

Read More: Upminster Tithe Barn set for National Highways funding

Upminster Tithe Barn was put on Historic England's Heritage At Risk register in November last year.

Historic England then said the roof of the 15th century barn was "in a poor state" and required "urgent work".

The replacement of the existing thatch, the council document added, is expected to improve the fabric of the building whilst conserving an important historic asset.

The barn’s website has a note from its team of volunteers that says that the barn and the Museum of Nostalgia will be closed for the 2024 season “while a significant programme of works is undertaken on the barn structure and roof”.

The work, the volunteers add, could start in the spring and in anticipation of that, the barn has had to clear all exhibits from the Museum of Nostalgia.

This, they say, was a challenging task as the museum had an inventory of more than 14,000 items of various shapes and sizes.

“With the support of the LBH Ranger Service and an army of local volunteers who have given freely and enthusiastically of their time to help with the task, however, significant progress has been made.

“Having said that there is still much to do, and the focus is now on those items that are too heavy or bulky to move without some sort of mechanical assistance.

“A further update will be issued in due course”, they add.