Lund's tower at Sutton may soon undergo much needed restoration work.

The Sutton Conservation Group applied last week to Craven District Council for permission to carry out extensive repairs to the listed building.

Work on the Victorian folly, perched on the edge of Earl Crag, is to include repointing and the replacement of one of its stone battlements, which is missing.

The conservation group is hoping to receive public money to complete the work, but its efforts have been hampered by the foot and mouth crisis.

Tom Wilkinson of Sutton Conservation Group said: "We are hoping to get a grant to do the work. We are applying for grants from Yorventure and the council.

"But we haven't been able to get up there for a while because of foot and mouth restrictions, and we must have the proposals in by June."

Mr Wilkinson also outlined plans to improve access to the tower, making it easier for older people to enjoy the magnificent views from the top.

"We have put some steps up the hillside to the tower and hope to complete them to the top," he said. "We have also put a seat half way up for people to rest on, and we are going to widen the road to improve parking and improve disabled access."

Lund's Tower was built in the late 19th century by James Lund, who lived at Malsis Hall, although exactly what it was built for remains a mystery.