WALTON’S historic Naze tower has been put back onto the at-risk list – but owners say the move will help secure the structure’s long-term future.

Historic England has published its latest heritage register marking out ancient buildings across the country which are under threat.

The grade II listed Naze Tower has been added to the latest list.

But hitting the at-risk list allowed the tower to clinch funding to secure its future.

Owner Michelle Nye-Browne said: “This has been coming for a while.

“The particularly wet winter two years ago pretty much finished the tower off and revealed a lot of problems with it.

“We realised it was in a lot of trouble and we put it back on the at-risk register.

“It was really sad to have to put it back on there. It was previously on the list in 2004 when we took it on and opened it up.

“We were disappointed but it was essential.”

Putting the tower on the at-risk list boosted their bid to secure funding for work on the structure.

A £168,000 grant from Historic England was added to the owners’ cash to start work over the summer.

Scaffolding has been up around the 86ft-high tower since June while it has been repointed.

Michelle added: “It has been quite a rollercoaster, and very stressful. Starting work on the tower was like opening a can of worms.

“But this is all about securing the next 100 years of the tower. It’s a unique and important building.

“We can’t wait to get the scaffolding down and open up properly again.”

The work should be finished by the end of the year, and the revamped tower will open at Easter next year.

The completion of work should see the tower removed from the next at-risk list.