Darnley Mausoleum, one of the contesters for the £3.5million handed out to the winner of the BBC\'s first Restoration programme in 2003, has just had the final Portland stone placed on top of the pyramid roof by specialists PAYE Stonework & Restoration.

A host of dignitaries made the daunting climb to the top of the scaffolding around the mausoleum in Cobham, Kent, on

The dignitaries are unlikely ever to get another chance to witness the views from the top of the mausoleum as the scaffolding enveloping it will shortly be removed.

Those who made the most of the opportunity includced representatives from partner organisations of the Cobham Park Heritage Project. There was Maggie Morgan from the National Trust, Ted Allett from Union Railways, Gravesham Mayor Harry Smith and Cobham Park Heritage Project team chairman David Nessling. They all donned safety helmets to climb the narrow ladders on the scaffolds up 23m to the top.

"Restoring the pinnacle to the pyramid roof is a significant milestone for the Darnley Mausoleum and the Cobham Park Heritage Project," said David Nessling when he reached the top. "It is symbolic of 10 years of successful efforts by the project partners to tackle decades of neglect and vandalism. "The partners\' ongoing objective is to protect and enhance the internationally important buildings and landscapes of Cobham Park, which is at the heart of initiatives to provide quality countryside for the people of Thames Gateway Kent to enjoy for generations to come."

Although the Grade I listed Darnley Mausoleum did not win the \'phone-in vote among viewers, like many of the projects featured on the Restoration programme it ended up a winner because the exposure raised its profile and made finance available from other sources.

In Darnley\'s case, £750,000 came from National Railways as compensation for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link passing close to the edge of Cobham Park, in which Darnley mausoleum stands.

By the time the Restoration programme was broadcast in 2003 the structure, built in 1786 but never actually used for interment, was being increasingly attacked by vandals and had been badly damaged by a fire in 1980.

Coombefield Whitbed Port-land limestone from Stone Firms has been used by PAYE for the external restoration work. Internally, Perryfield Portland is being used to repair carvings and a vaulted dome. York stone is being used to pave a dry moat around the structure.

The work should be completed to reveal the original design intentions in all their glory in September.