A NEW £200,000 orangery is to be built in the grounds of Peckover House in Wisbech, after a 1980s structure on the site is demolished by the National Trust

The new wooden and glass building has been designed to capture the spirit of the original orangery - dating from the early nineteenth century - and will incorporate a sliding sash mechanism for ventilation.

Diane Smith, marketing and events assistant at Peckover House, said: “The original floor and the beautiful tiled orange tree planters will remain. It is just the outer structure that will be replaced.

“The sliding roof panels will be moved using a system of pulleys, and it is thought that this will be the country’s only example of a double pitched glasshouse with this early Victorian method of ventilation.”

The current structure is due to be demolished after the May Day bank holiday weekend, and the building project will take about 12 weeks to complete.

Diane added: “It will be the first time in decades that the ancient orange trees will be exposed to the air and it is because of this exposure that the project has had to be held back until now, with threat of frost minimalised.”