RESTORATION work began this week on the historic cottage that was once home to the famous poet and parliamentarian John Milton.

The aim of the work, which is being funded with a £40,000 National Lottery grant, is to renovate the Grade I listed building to take it back to its original feel.

Work to the 16th century house in Chalfont St Giles will include refurbishing the scullery, putting in a new entrance hall, moving the souvenir shop and improving access into the building.

All the improvements will be done in strict keeping with traditional methods used at the time the cottage was built. The work will also be carried out under the watchful eye of English Heritage officers.

Building firm J T Bateman & Co (Building) Ltd was selected for the renovation because it specialises in using traditional building techniques.

Bosses at the Walters Ash-based company, which has been going for more than 100 years, are pleased to have been chosen.

Director Lee Higley explained: "Obviously all the work will be in keeping with the original building and English Heritage will be watching over it all."

Cryers Hill-based firm Handcrafts Country Seats (HCS) has been commissioned to carry out the timber work at the cottage.

Stephen Davies, of HCS, who has just taken delivery of a consignment of English oak costing £1,400, is extremely pleased to be part of the restoration project.

He said: "It's very nice to be involved in this work. It's good work. I've been asked to make some traditional furniture for the cottage and it is all to be done and finished by hand no machine work."

Milton is believed to have lived at the cottage for between nine and 11 months during which time he wrote arguably his most famous work Paradise Lost.

Philip Birger, chairman of the Milton Cottage Trust, said the work should be finished by early March and added: "We are very excited about it because this is an important landmark in the village."