THE last castle to have been built in England is to be saved from certain ruin, thanks to a £2.5-million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Castle Drogo has suffered major structural problems ever since completion, which have led to serious leaks and water penetration throughout the building.

The National Trust's renovation project on the property is set to cost £11 million over five years.

In November 2010, the HLF awarded a first-round pass for Castle Drogo's application. The award meant that the National Trust was able to progress to the second stage of the HLF application process, in order to seek £2.5-million of HLF support towards the £11-million total cost. They have now been awarded that funding.

Mark Harold, National Trust regional director, said: 'We're delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this grant to help us save Castle Drogo. This grant will help safeguard the future of one of the country's most iconic buildings.

'In 2011 we launched a public appeal to raise £1.5- million towards the work.

'Since that date just over £1- million has been raised. We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our public appeal so far.'

Richard Bellamy, acting head of heritage for the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: 'Castle Drogo is one of Devon's historic treasures, and it is wonderful that we at the Heritage Lottery Fund are able to support the National Trust in its conservation.

'In addition to saving the unique building from the threat of loss, this fantastic project will also ensure that more people are able to actively engage with both the castle and its surrounding estate.

'Together we can ensure that this fine example of the country's heritage can be enjoyed by visitors for many generations to come.'

The project is on a grand scale. In order to install the new watertight roof system, which replaces the castle's flat asphalt roof, 2,355 granite blocks weighing 680 tonnes will have to be removed and then returned.

Around 900 windows containing more than 13,000 panes will need to be refurbished to stop them leaking, and over 60,000 metres of pointing will need to be replaced.

Once the project begins later this year, the visitor route and experience will be dramatically altered. Contents and furniture will be relocated elsewhere in the castle and rooms will be presented in new ways.

Other rooms — including the roof itself — will be opened up to show work in action.

A key aim of the project will be the involvement of local people, with the opportunity for locals to learn new skills such as masonry, and joinery. The future of the castle will also include new learning and exhibition spaces and opportunities to explore the estate's extensive grounds on Dartmoor.

Castle Drogo is the last castle to have been built in Britain, between 1911 and 1931.

Designed by renowned architect Edwin Lutyens, it was built for food retailing magnate Julius Drewe. His dream was to have an imposing granite fortress that would appear to have existed for hundreds of years. By contrast, the interior offered the ultimate in modern living and convenience, with all the technology and comforts of the age.

Drewe's insistence that the castle be in keeping with a medieval fortress — with a flat roof, and to not have any windowsills or guttering — have been the building's Achilles heel, leading to the widespread water damage.

The funding for the £11-million project is being sourced from the £1.5-million public fundraising appeal, £400,000 from other grant sources, the £2.5-million HLF grant and the remainder from general National Trust funds.

To support the campaign to save Castle Drogo, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/savedrogo">www.nationaltrust.org.uk/savedrogo

You can also follow the campaign on Twitter and Facebook. To make a donation directly to the appeal, text DROG11 followed by the amount you'd like to give, for example DROG11 5 for £5, to 70070.