A royal stonemason has been brought in to help restore an 18th century mansion.

The Stone Studio, whose past projects have included work at Windsor Castle and on the Diana Memorial Fountain, has begun work on Stanmer House in Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton.

For the next ten to 12 weeks, up to five craftspeople will carefully uncover stonework nearly 300 years old.

The stone, which is laid into the floor, doorways and fireplaces, has been neglected for years and, in places, has been covered with thick paint.

Some is Portland stone, which originates from the Isle of Portland, Dorset.

There is also Bath stone, the material used to build Buckingham Palace.

Rob Jolly, co-director of the Findon-based Stone Studio, said: "Some of it has been covered in about ten coats of green paint.

"It is a case of restoring it back to the natural stone."

The stonework is part of a long project to restore Stanmer Park and turn it into a public art gallery and a home for a charity.

Mike Holland, who owns the property, said: "We have been talking about it for five years. The time has come to take some action and get on with it.

"We are about halfway through the works.

"It has taken a long time to get this far with various planning permissions. It is quite an exciting project.

"There are a lot of historical features including some really quite beautiful stonework.

"It is all part of our agreement with English Heritage to restore the building to how it was."

At Windsor Castle, the Stone Studio created some commemorative stone work for St George's Chapel.

For the Diana fountain, it made some pieces incorporating letterwork dedicating the memorial to the Princess. The company has also restored war memorials.

At Stanmer House, the north wing is to be rebuilt after it was knocked down following a decision by the then Brighton Borough council in the Fifties.

The stable is to be turned into a base for a charity centre for disabled children.