Phase one in restoring the Bishop Hooper Monument near Gloucester Cathedral is nearing completion.

The monument, that marks the spot where the Bishop was burnt at the stake after being found guilty of heresy in 1555, has been undergoing maintenance.

It has been shrouded in scaffolding while the work to clean grime and moss and add a lime shelter coat to protects its surface takes place.

The current work, which is costing £8,000, is due for completion by the end of next week, when the scaffolding will come down to reveal the monument in its full glory.

Work will then begin towards phase two of the restoration, with Gloucester City Council keen to engage with community groups to secure funding to carry it out.

While the cleaning and ant-weathering treatment will spruce the monument there has been some lasting damage and deterioration to some parts.

Some of the finials or 'poppy heads' are beyond conservation and new ones need to be carved - work the city council are obtaining quotes for.

As the Monument is owned by the Council many normal funding sources don't apply.

Going forward it is hoped that enough funds can be raised through partnership with the City Council and community groups to reinstate the original details.

Cllr Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council said: "It will be fantastic to see the Bishop Hooper Monument restored to its former glory.

"Now that the cleaning is nearly complete, we will turn our attention to planning the restoration and are considering plans to fund this in partnership with community groups.

"This could include training young people in stone carving and masonry skills, something we've already seen work successfully with reinstatement of the railings at St Mary De Crypt."