MONTHS of building work on an ‘iconic’ Dorchester landmark have been completed in time for Easter.

The Keep Military Museum in Bridport Road has been screened in scaffolding for the last six months to enable specialist work to ‘breathe new life’ into the 133-year-old building.

The work involved replacing the lime mortar in the building for the first time since its original construction.

To celebrate the completion of the work the museum will be offering free entry to children over Easter.

Curator of the Keep Colin Parr said: “The whole process has been lengthy and sometimes noisy and very dusty – but the end result has breathed new life into this Grade II listed Keep, an iconic building in the county town.

“The completion is just in time for the arrival of Easter and the school holiday, so we decided to offer children up to 16 years of age free entry when they come to visit us with their parents for the duration of the holiday period.”

Easter also marks the start of extended opening hours at the Keep, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is the only designated museum for the regiments of Devon and Dorset.

Mr Parr hopes it will signal the start of a busy period for the museum, as people’s interest is stoked ahead of the centenary of the start of the First World War next year.

He said: “Easter also heralds our six-days-a-week summer opening times with the Great War centenary soon to be upon us, we’re offering an opportunity to come and see what local people’s ancestors endured during the First World War – both at home and abroad.

“We have also just launched The Keep Military Museum page on Facebook, where we will be posting details of upcoming events and exhibitions. You can also follow us @TheKeepMuseum on Twitter.”

Children accompanied by an adult will be given free entry to the museum from March 29 to April 13.

For more information about the Keep Military Museum including opening times visit www.KeepMilitaryMuseum.org or call 01305 264066.