THE 18th Century carving on top of Worcester's Guildhall is in good condition according to experts giving it its first check-up in nine years.

Thomas Whyte, a pupil of Christopher Wren, carved what is considered to be one of the city's finest historic features, in 1721.

And experts, brought in to assess the amount of renovation and external redecoration work needed to the grade I listed Guildhall, said that despite its age the feature is in remarkably good condition.

It is in need of a wash and brush-up and a small amount of re-painting and re-gilding.

Restoration

The stonework underwent major restoration several years ago to remove layers of paint accumulated over more than two centuries.

Worcester City Council's principal conservation officer, Will Scott, said the exterior of the whole building was in good condition.

"We were aware that some of the joinery in the windows, doors and cupola was in need of repainting, but overall the exterior of the Guildhall is in remarkably good condition," he said.

"For the most part it requires little more than a good wash and the replacement of some of the 24-carat gold leaf in the detailing of the some of the features."

Gulls and pigeons, which are attracted to the top of the building, are the cause of some of the dirt on the building.

And in recent years, the city council has taken measures, including wires and spikes, to stop them roosting there.

The city council's building maintenance surveyors carry out major checks and routine maintenance on a 10-yearly basis.

Their work at the front of the Guildhall is now complete and the sides and rear of the building will now be checked and additional joinery repairs and redecoration work will be carried out at the same time.

Mr Scott said the Guildhall was one of the first and best examples of a Queen Anne Guildhall anywhere in Britain.

"It is fortunate for us that Worcester Corporation's 1875 plan to demolish it and replace it with a fashionable Victorian building designed by Alfred Waterhouse, architect of Manchester's town hall, eventually came to nothing," he said.