The familiar skyline of Ludlow saw a dramatic change as the town’s landmark Buttercross was surrounded by scaffolding so workmen could begin taking down the dome above the clock for repairs.

Local contractors Treasure & Son started the removal yesterday as part of a £100,000 restoration project. Nick Hill, the contract manager, said he expected dismantling the structure would take about a week.

The dome will be repaired and the legs that support it replaced.

Mr Hill said: “We will be building the new one in our workshop in Ludlow.

“That will take about a month and then we will be back on site to erect it. We’re retaining the existing timbers.”

The dome and its supports make up the cupola on top of the clock.

Support

The refurbishment work will see the roof underneath it replaced, new support posts erected and a new dome put over the old supporting timbers.

They will also carry out repairs to stonework on the roof and to the parapets of the building.

Work done earlier this year saw the outer doors at the building re-painted and new glass fitted in the windows.

The Buttercross was used as offices for Ludlow Town Council until late last year, when chunks of plaster dropped from the ceiling.

The cost of the restoration work rose from an initial estimate of £70,000 after it was discovered the cupola need more work than initially thought.

Pigeon excrement was also found to have damaged the roof.

Ludlow Town Council has now moved permanently to offices at Stone House in Corve Street.

The future of the building has yet to be decided.

Suggestions have included a wine bar or converting it into homes.

The building had previously been a school and housed the town museum.

Martin Taylor-Smith, former mayor of Ludlow, who recently stepped down as a town councillor, has been very involved in overseeing the project.

He said: “I’m delighted the work is now under way and most importantly it’s being done by a local, well-respected firm in Treasures, so I expect our heritage is in safe hands.”