The castle was extensively rebuilt during the early 19th c.

English Heritage has announced a grant of �65,000 to prevent the imminent collapse of the central tower at Lowther Castle, near Penrith.

The work on the 19th century castle, south of Penrith, will be carried out by English Heritage and the Lowther estate.

It is considered to be an outstanding example of gothic revival architecture and was admired by poet William Wordsworth.

Graham Puxley, the director of the Lowther Castle Project, says the repairs must be carried out soon if its heritage was to be preserved.

The repair work is critical to the Lowther Estate's plans for the future of the castle Marion Barter, English Heritage

He said: "The castle is a remarkable romantic ruin and forms part of a fabulous landscape.

"Because there is no roof on the castle, the turrets are actually collapsing outwards, they are moving out from the central staircase tower.

"The immediate work that we are addressing is to consolidate that central staircase tower before it does actually collapse.

"Our aim is to open up the whole site as a mixed use visitor attraction."

The Grade II listed castle has been in the Lowther family for about 900 years but was extensively rebuilt between 1806 and 1812.

Rescue plan

It is now included in the most urgent category of English Heritage's annual Buildings at Risk register.

Marion Barter, English Heritage's Inspector of Historic Buildings in Cumbria, said: "The repair work is critical to the Lowther Estate's plans for the future of the castle.

"Without it there is a serious risk that the central tower would collapse, effectively removing the centrepiece of the ruin.

"English Heritage is very keen to support the estate's rescue plan and to see this fascinating piece of Cumbria's history opened up to a wider audience."

The rescue plan has been prepared by the Lowther Estate Trust which will shortly take over ownership of the castle.

The English Heritage grant amounts to �65,525 - half of the total cost of the emergency repairs.

The rest is being made up by the Lowther Estate Trust.