MAINTENANCE work to bring Chester’s City Walls into a good state of repair is complete.

Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Renaissance obtained a grant for the work.

It involved carefully removing vegetation including weeds and self-seeded saplings as well as several sections of ivy.

Cheshire West and Chester Council environment executive member, Cllr Neil Ritchie, said: “People have already been able to see what an improvement this work has made. We shall now be able to see more closely what future maintenance will be needed.

“The preservation of the Walls is extremely important for our heritage. The Walls are part of the unique character of Chester.

“I am delighted we were able to work so closely with all partners to ensure the minimum of disruption during the maintenance programme.”

Cllr Tom Parry saw the final section of ivy being removed and said: “We’re grateful to both residents and tourists for bearing with us during essential work.

“It was necessary to close some sections of the wall as work progressed, but now it’s good to see the beauty of the magnificent Walls clearly once again.

“I’m delighted next year's budget allocates an additional £75,000 for maintenance of both our historic Rows and Walls.

“The work was long overdue and the completion of this essential maintenance is a real achievement for Cheshire West and Chester Council’s first year in operation.”

The five-month programme followed a circular route around the Walls and in some sections involved the use of ropes to access the wall to carry out inspections and remove vegetation.

Plastic trowels were also needed to make sure that the walls were not damaged.