An endangered 19th Century greenhouse in Northumberland has been saved thanks to funding boost.

The rare lean-to hothouse in Felton Park is one of just two surviving examples of its type in the North East and, together with its adjoining potting shed, has been on Historic England’s heritage-at-risk register for years.

But now both are to be restored to their former glory and open for members of the public to enjoy.

Tim Maxwell, who’s owned the historic Felton Park for the past five years, said the injection of funds from heritage bodies is “a mark of how important this building is”.

Built around 1830, the 90ft curved metal and glass structure is one of earliest and most complete such designs developed by famous Scottish-born garden designer John Claudius Loudon.

At the time the use of wrought iron and fish-scale glass was an innovative technique.

There are just 19 others like it in England and Mr Maxwell wants to preserve it for future generations.

Historic England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Country Houses Foundation and Northumberland County Council stepped in to support a revamp of the grade II-listed buildings which are an eye-catching feature next to the park’s 18th Century garden wall which has a well-documented horticultural history.

Mr Maxell did not want to disclose the total amount of the award but said: “I’ve also provided money myself and I am delighted to have received such strong support from Britain’s leading heritage organisations.

“The restoration will not only allow greater access but enable the greenhouse to take its proper place in the gardening history of Northumberland.”

The success of his application follows a lengthy process of assessments and investigations by specialists.

The trustees of the Country Houses Foundation said: “We were pleased to award a grant for the restoration of this tremendously important greenhouse in the North East, a structure that needs preserving for generations to come, and a project that we hope will inspire other owners and custodians of buildings at risk to build partnerships and seek support for the vulnerable and often-overlooked parts of our architectural heritage.”

A team of contractors has already been appointed to carry out repairs which are hoped to be complete by the autumn.

The restoration will employ traditional skills of stone masonry, metal conservation and repair, as well as glazing.

Mr Maxwell added: “The contractors are going to be on site next Tuesday.

“It’s not in terribly bad condition. All the metal is there but it’s pretty badly rusted and about 80% of the glass is still there.

“We need to clean the metal, replace the broken and cracked glass, clean it and replace the stone work around the plinth at the bottom.

“And we’re going to talk about how to plant it up once it’s finished, whether to have it how it looked in 1830 or something else.”

The plan then is to offer wider public access to the private site.

Visitors will also be invited to talks about ongoing research into history of the greenhouse set in the context of early Victorian gardening tastes and ambitions.

Louden inspired widespread interest in gardening through his writing and his inspired designs such as the curvilinear structure for the Felton Park hot house.

David Farrington, heritage at risk surveyor in the region for Historic England, formerly known as English Heritage, said: “After many years of uncertainty, the repair of one of the North East’s most long-standing heritage at risk cases is now within sight.

“The repair scheme at Felton will not only showcase specialist heritage craft skills but will also offer exciting insights into horticultural history and technology.”

And Sara Rushton, Northumberland County Council’s conservation team manager and county archaeologist, added: “The council is very pleased to have been able to contribute to this important project.

“We look forward to seeing the greenhouse restored and admired.”