ALMOST all of Corfe Castle has been reopened to visitors after months of restoration work on the iconic landmark's crumbling ruins.

In spring 2006 the National Trust closed the top third of the castle as stone conservationists began a £700,000 restoration project.

During the winter stonemasons repaired pieces of crumbling stonework in the Gloriette, which was where the King had his residential quarters in the 13th century, and the inner ward.

Now 90 per cent of the 1,000-year-old castle is open to visitors to explore again, with only the keep still closed.

Corfe Castle's visitor services manager Pippa Russell, said: "The first phase of the restoration project has gone very well and visitors are now welcome to explore the inner sanctum of the castle again and enjoy those wonderful views over Purbeck."

In 2005 the ravages of time had begun to catch up with large pieces of stonework around the keep, which lie where they fell when the castle was blown up with gunpowder in 1646.

Much of the repair work in the restoration project has focused on the inner core of these sections, which were more exposed to the elements than the standing walls.

Once the trust has received Ancient Schedule Monument consent phase two of the project will begin, which will include the erection of scaffolding in the keep.

This will allow the consolidation of the original plasterwork found in the keep, the pinning back of loose sections of stonework and the re-bedding and re-pointing of various sections of the walls.

This work is scheduled to be completed in 2008.