STRAWBERRY Hill House, the Gothic masterpiece built by Horace Walpole is to take a starring role in a new TV series, boosting the campaign for its restoration.
The 18th century house, thought to be the most significant example of the early Gothic revival, will feature in BBC2's second series of Restoration.
Viewers' votes will decide which of the 21 neglected buildings should receive a funding lifeline. Last year the programme received around 2.3 million votes and raised £3.5million towards the restoration of the Victoria Baths in Manchester.
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The Friends of Strawberry Hill believe the programme could help their aim to raise the £12 million needed to restore it to its former glory.
Judith Lovelace, events co-ordinator of the Friends of Strawberry Hill said: "It is really exciting news. It means that the house is going to receive a lot of public attention. It is the beginning of its period of restoration and making it more accessible to the public. It is going to give us a walloping helping hand."
Last year the building, which Walpole described as his little Gothic castle' was placed on the World Monument Fund watch list of 100 most endangered sites, ranking it alongside the Great Wall of China and the Panama Canal.
The outside of the Grade I listed building is described as fair, but the interior is in a poor condition. Plasterwork is crumbling, wood is rotting and one of the internal ceilings is facing collapse. Some of the papier mach decorative work needs urgent attention.
The Strawberry Hill Trust will take over care of the building from current owners St Mary's College in 2006, then start the work which is expected to take three years.
The friends are organising a number of activities coming up to highlight the campaign, including appearances at Richmond May Fair and a concert at Strawberry Hill as part of the Twickenham Festival in June.
Twickenham MP Vincent Cable says he strongly supports the bid: "This is a wonderful but neglected building. Some years ago my son Paul and his wife Agnesa were married in St Mary's Chapel and the reception was held in Strawberry Hill House. This is when I saw
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its potential for the first time. There is a growing understanding and appreciation of the importance of Twickenham's historic buildings, from Marble Hill and the Octagon building via York House and Strawberry Hill House to Hampton Court, in a chain of fine historical buildings along the Thames. I do hope that this programme gives the House the profile it deserves."
A free Restoration campaign pack is available by calling 08700 100 150 or www.bbc.co.uk/restoration.
The first Restoration 2' programme will air on BBC2 on May 8 at 9 pm. During July and August there will be a series of seven programmes, each covering three buildings. Viewers' votes will determine the finalists and the eventual winner of the series.
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