CHILTERN Open Air Museum is reviving the medieval art of thatching and has nearly completed its project to repair a 500-year-old barn which was started at Easter.

Historians and thatching experts have been experimenting with techniques that have not been used in Britain for more than two centuries.

Museum director, Sue Shave, said: "Chiltern Open Air Museum is very proud to be leading the way in the field of thatching restoration work.

"As far as we know, we are the first organisation to attempt to reconstruct medieval thatching for several hundred years.

"By experimenting with these techniques we will be able to provide the building conservation field with valuable information about the practice of early thatching work in this country."

The roof is made up from multiple layers of bracken, heather, grass and other natural materials sourced locally.

The first layer is then tied to the rafters using different types of ties such as Old Man's Beard, twisted hazel rods and even brambles.

More than 30 different straw crops are being provided for the barn by a farm in Prestwood.

Visitors can see the restoration work on the barn in the next few weeks and will eventually be able to use it as a lifelong centre for adult education and learning.