A popular tourist attraction at Mistley has been damaged by water seeping into the walls.

The Adams' Towers, at the eastern end of Mistley Walls, attracts the attention of visitors to Mistley and many take the opportunity to look inside on the few open days held each year.

But water has been getting through the plasterwork of the east tower, loosening some of it and exposing a section of the brickwork.

This in turn has led to some of the framed sketches inside, copies of the originals drawn up by the Adams brothers, being ruined.

English Heritage is responsible for the site and, for the past seven years, Mistley Thorn Residents' Association has managed the historic monument day-to-day.

Tower committee member Becky Longford said: "Some work was obviously done several years ago but didn't match and English Heritage is trying to find the right recipe and we hope it will be fixed this year."

The Towers is all that remains of the Adams-built St Mary's church. They were designed by the Adams brothers in 1776 but ceased to have any real function once the church disappeared in about 1870.

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003

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