Work to bring a historic site in Gloucestershire "back to life" has received a major funding boost.

Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust has announced an important link with the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust (GET), which is providing Flagship Project funding of £250,000 to help the Llanthony Reformation Project.

The Flagship Grant will provide matched funding to the Heritage Lottery Grant of £3,194,400 awarded to the trust in March last year.

It will be used to enhance the landscape element of the work, to create a vibrant usable green space with opportunities to learn about the history of the priory and for the local community to participate in a wide range of activities.

Work has already started on site, in Gloucester, with the major groundworks associated with landscape and drainage. The capital works are due for completion in summer 2018.

The chairman of the board of trustees, Jeremy Williamson, said: "The support from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust for our project is wonderful and helps us to realise our plans for the future of this unique site in Gloucester."

Gloucester MP Richard Graham added: "The agreement between the Trust and GET on the matched funding for the Heritage Lottery Fund grant means that Llanthony Secunda will now definitely be brought back to life.

"This is exciting for Gloucestershire College, for our city, shoppers at Gloucester Quays and all Heritage enthusiasts. A wonderful way to start the year - congratulations to the volunteer trustees and the GET."

Gloucester Environmental Trust has also offered a welcome contribution of £25,000 towards the costs of the proposed revised vehicular access.

Speaking on behalf of the trust, chair of trustees, Professor Stephen Owen said: "The project had taken a long time to reach fruition, and its implementation will now help to reverse decades of neglect that has blighted this part of Gloucester.

"The new vehicular and footpath access, the conservation of the buildings and provision of a quality landscaped setting for this important historic site, will provide the opportunity for bringing back new life into this part of the Docks and Gloucestershire College."

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Picture: Richard Graham MP visiting Llanthony Secunda Priory