AN APPEAL to raise �290,000 to save a historic Victorian garden has been launched in North Somerset.

The National Trust is urging people to dig deep to help fund vital repairs to the walled garden at Tyntesfield in Wraxall before the winter sets in.

The garden, which is still in use, is one of the few Victorian kitchen gardens to have remained in continuous cultivation since its earliest formation in the 1830s.

Complete with numerous glasshouses and potting sheds brimming with historic gardening equipment, the charming buildings have been home to more than 100 years of estate gardeners.

While the plants are thriving, the vulnerable buildings are in a serious state of disrepair and need urgent work before the winter.

Tyntesfield’s head gardener Paul Evans said: “The age of the buildings and the ravages of a number of harsh winters have really taken their toll.

“Our potting shed roof is badly leaking, the walls are crumbling due to frost damage and the oak gates need to be replaced to protect the garden from hungry local deer.

“The kitchen garden is a very special space which allows us to do so much with the community and keep the estate working as it was meant to be.”

The garden was originally used to provide produce for four generations of the Gibbs family who made Tyntesfield their home.

Now, it provides Tyntesfield’s new Cow Barn restaurant with fresh produce and is also used as a learning and training space for schools, students and community groups.

With the main restoration of the house and estate buildings now complete, this is one of the last major appeals needed to ensure the Gothic Victorian estate in Wraxall is preserved for future generations.

To donate to the appeal call fundraising manager Charlotte Akrill on 01275 461908 or for more details visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfieldappeal2011