THE restoration of a Grade II-listed building in Beaminster will take longer than expected because it has been discovered further work needs to be done.

Firm CG Fry is repairing the hole in the wall on the side of Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture at The Square left by a failed cash machine raid last August.

According to the firm's director, Mike Pinney, builders have discovered further work is required to the chimneys and the gable wall above the original collapsed area. This extra work was discovered as they opened up more areas to tie the old and new sections together.

They now need to take more material away and re-build the retained gable and the chimney. A statement provided by the loss adjuster to Mr Pinney and Beaminster Town Council states: "The works will increase the duration but we are very mindful of the opportunity of laying stone in lime coming into the winter months.

"We are working closely with the local conservation officer and keeping Historic England updated."

The response comes after residents raised concerns repair work would soon stop for autumn, as reported in last week's Bridport News.

Beaminster resident Douglas Beazer said: “It is now one year since the cashpoint raid took place and yet work has still not been completed to allow the town to get back to normal.

"This is in complete contrast to the bridge at Gunnislake in Devon, which was damaged in April 2019 and repaired and reopened within three weeks, yet here we are a year later."

He added: "When it is eventually completed, Beaminster deserves, and is certainly entitled, to more attention being paid to the needs of the town and its residents."