SCAFFOLDING and tarpaulin which has shrouded the Town Hall in Great Yarmouth for more than eight months should be down by Christmas. Major repairs to the roof of the grade two listed building began earlier this year and are on course to finish in December meaning the 155-year-old building will soon be on public view again.

SCAFFOLDING and tarpaulin which has shrouded the Town Hall in Great Yarmouth for more than eight months should be down by Christmas.

Major repairs to the roof of the grade two listed building began earlier this year and are on course to finish in December meaning the 155-year-old building will soon be on public view again.

David Frowde, head of the borough council's architectural services, said contractors MS Oakes had come across a few more unexpected problems.

He said: “Work is progressing well and we would hope to see everything finished this side of Christmas.”

Mr Frowde said workers had unearthed further problems in the clock tower as a result of rain water getting inside although these had now been sorted.

The movement and dials of the clock have been repaired and an electric wind up facility has been fitted, ending the three-times-a-week manual winding.

The majority of the roof has been repaired and about 60pc of the tiles have been reused. The final part to be repaired - the west elevation - unearthed major unexpected problems when workers discovered serious rot in the trusses above the Assembly Room.

A number of ornamental gables, parapets and chimneys have either been rebuilt or strengthened, and stonework has been restored.

Layers of insulation have been added to the roof in a bid the make the building more energy efficient. It is the first time in the building's history that the roof has been replaced.

Throughout the project contractors have come across many surprise problems meaning costs have spiralled to more than £2m.

Mr Frowde said an exact figure on the total cost of the project would be known soon.