VOLUNTEERS restoring a popular North Wales landmark have received a well-earned boost.

The Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust has a windfall of £4,000 courtesy of Tesco shoppers after winning the Abergele supermarket’s Blue Token Challenge.

The cash injection will no doubt be welcome to trust, which was able to purchase the site in June 2018 following a grant of £600,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF).

Dr Mark Baker, chair of the Trust and the driving force behind the restoration, said: “All good causes are supported by Tesco and we were very fortunate to have achieved this given the exceptional causes we were up against. It will enable us to not only buy more materials for our outdoor theatre but to also help other charities along the way as much as we are able to do so. To Tesco, all of the community and the amazing supportive people of Abergele. Thank you very much.”

While the volunteers have made great progress on the daunting task of restoring the castle, there is still much to be achieved and working on the site - which is still without electricity, gas and water - can be physically demanding.

Volunteer of three years Sibylle Dreesbeimdieke, who lives in Colwyn Bay and is originally from Germany, said; “All of us - especially Mark Baker - sacrifice so much time and energy on the restoration, which we do for the community.

“I love being up there, but sometimes it can be challenging. Last Christmas we were working on Santa’s Grotto shivering in the chapel as we only had a felt roof. But within a week, the volunteers had made the money to put slate on the roof, and you could see the results immediately.

“It means so much that people recognise the work we do, and to be appreciated by Tesco customers makes us all feel very valued and helps us continue our work.”