EXPERT work has begun to rebuild the chimney of a historic house after it collapsed through the roof.

A specialist consultant has overseen plans to restore the chimney, which fell unexpectedly during roof repairs at Foresters in Church Street, Harwich in January.

The 15th centrury building is the oldest building in Harwich and also the headquarters of history group, The Harwich Society.

After the incident, repairs to the interior were quickly completed but rebuilding the chimney stack on a building of such historic importance has been much more complicated.