Conservation experts say refurbishments to a listed building will continue until 2007 with scaffolding remaining on site to complete the specialist project.

The east elevation of the Royal Pavilion facing on to the Old Steine in Brighton is the latest section of the Grade I-listed building to undergo conservation work.

Specialist stonemasons have been brought in to clean up the exterior, making any repairs to the columns and first floor damaged by strong winds and salt carried in from the sea.

The project is being led by The Royal Pavilion Partnership Project and will take place in four phases running until 2007.

The partnership is made up of Brighton and Hove City Council officers, construction engineers and an architect to specify which works need to go ahead.

Quantity surveyors are involved in costing the project with Croydon specialists Stonewest replacing the stone, carrying out repairs and inspecting internal ironwork.

Historic building officer Tim Thearle said: "We have a duty to do maintenance work because the Pavilion is a listed building.

"We are dealing with a historic building so when we are doing repairs you can uncover additional works and there are decisions you have to make as you go along.

"The impact of the work should be subtle. You don't want to see a brand new building and we are trying to put back what was there historically."

The Royal Pavilion began to take shape in 1787 before extensions were added by John Nash in the early 1800s introducing the Indian-style design which continues to define the building.

The latest phase of the project is expected to last until January and will cost about £500,000. The third stage of the conservation scheme will move on to the onion-shaped dome on top of the building.

Stonemasons are expected to complete the project in 2007, finishing on the south-east elevation overlooking Palace Place.

But even with the end of the scheme the upkeep of the building will continue to occupy conservation teams.

They will be required to hire contract specialists to carry out repainting work at least once every three years.

Mr Thearle said: "If we didn't do the work, the building would go into disrepair and become unsafe.

"There is the dilemma with historical buildings when people don't want scaffolding going up but the surveyor knows you should be doing certain housekeeping.

"The Royal Pavilion is extensively used but its fabric is old and there is a lot of traffic in the area.

"Its upkeep is expensive but it is worthwhile because it draws a lot of people to Brighton and Hove."