WORK is ongoing at a listed tomb in Tintern, restoring the monument to its former glory.

The tomb of Richard White, a local wealthy iron work developer who died in 1765 sits in the derelict graveyard of St Mary's church, and has been restored thanks to work by Tintern Community Council and the Village Alive Trust.

The once ornate piece received support from the Village Alive Trust as part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013.

The development plan is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. It has also received funding from CCW's Sustainable Development Fund in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Leche Trust.

The tomb is special because it is one of the earliest monuments to be listed and protected.

The project began 18 months ago when it was first thought of by the community council. The work is now being carried out by Mark Hancock of Centreline Stone.

St Mary's church is now privately owned after burning down in an accidental fire in the 1970s, in which two village boys died. The graveyard is still owned by the church.

The tomb is being painstakingly recovered in pieces from the surrounding plot and restored with traditional methods because of its age and listed status.

"It is like putting together a huge jigsaw," said Mr Hancock.

For the finished picture, see next week's Beacon.