STUNNING Medieval stained glass at Highcliffe Castle will be restored thanks to a £30,000 grant from The Pilgrim Trust.

The funding will help support a stained glass workshop, curator and apprentice for three years and will lead to the glass being exhibited for the first time in decades.

Members of the public will be able to watch the work being carried out from a viewing gallery.

The donation is the latest towards a multi-million pounds project known as The Phoenix Flies, which will see the restoration of the East Wing, also known as the Penleaze Wing, and transform it into a successful heritage and lifelong learning enterprise.

The latest grant adds to the recent award of £2.83 million from The Heritage Lottery Fund towards The Phoenix Flies project.

An important part of the project concerns the stained glass which was brought to Highcliffe by Lord Stuart de Rothesay when he owned the Castle. Ranging from the 12th to 19th centuries in date, the collection of 100 pieces is mainly French but with outstanding examples from Germany and Switzerland.

Cllr Frederick Neale, Heritage Champion at Christchurch Council, said: “We are extremely grateful for this grant from The Pilgrim Trust which will enable the stained glass collection to be restored and exhibited. The grant is helping to ensure that the legacy of Highcliffe Castle will live on for generations to come.”

Cllr Bernie Davis, Portfolio Holder for Community at Christchurch Council, added: “This additional funding shows just what an important project The Phoenix Flies is. The project as a whole will open up yet more of the Castle for the community to see and will give people the chance to understand better the historical context of the building.

"The stained glass workshop will give people the opportunity to see firsthand the skills required in the restoration work and the importance of the stained glass in the story of the Castle.”

Georgina Nayler, Director of The Pilgrim Trust, said: “The Pilgrim Trustees are delighted to have been able to help with the preservation of this important stained glass. They are particularly keen to support the training of conservators for the future and were delighted that the establishment of the conservation studio at Highcliffe will include a placement for an apprentice stained glass conservator.”

The Pilgrim Trust supports around 70 projects each year, giving away around £2 million.