A STATELY home in Cullompton at the heart of a £3m restoration project is on a TV programme championing those dedicated to saving the nation’s historic buildings.

Presenters John Craven and Jules Hudson visited the Walronds at the end of last year to film Britain’s Heritage Heroes, to be shown on BBC 2 tomorrow evening.

The Grade-I listed property on Fore Street needs major repairs and has been declared At Risk by English Heritage, an organisation that exists to protect Britain’s historic environment.

There were fears the building would collapse and a preservation trust was formed in 1996 to set about raising raise the millions of pounds needed for its restoration.

With the majority of funding in place and the refurbishment programme expected to be complete by the end of next year, the BBC visited Cullompton to meet those behind the project.

Jane Campbell, chairman of the Walronds Preservation Trust, said: “They particularly wanted to film when something was happening in the house, and they spoke to a lady who used to live here with her children when June Severn, a former owner of the property, was alive.

“I hope it comes out well because mMembers of the Strollers, a mother and toddler group, were really excited when it was happening.

“They say you should never act with children or animals but I looked into the room at one time and saw John Craven sitting on the floor with the children, which was so sweet.

“They were at the house for a whole morning and it was very exciting. There is no point having a beautiful building if it is not part of the community but it has been involved in all aspects of the community, and I am hoping the programme will show that.”

As well as showcasing Britain’s historic homes, the programme celebrates national monuments, foods, crafts, animals and the traditional occupations and trades that are gradually being lost.

During the BBC’s brief stay, Mr Craven was said to have visited a number of shops and the town’s mill stream, which is another historic part of the town .

The trust began preparing the building for the work last summer when Pen Mill set up scaffolding and fitted a temporary roof before further inspections were carried out.

Various original features within the house need to be restored, including some plasterwork and roof tiles, and the contractor which will carry out the main repairs is expected to be in place by the beginning of May.

A number of rooms in the house will be let to holidaymakers and the trust is optimistic it will become a popular tourist attraction.

Mrs Campbell said: “I hope so because we always need to raise money to make sure we have enough to cover the costs and this programme should bring it to a wider audience.”

Interviews are expected to be held in April and the restoration will be complete by December 2013.