AN HISTORIC memorial, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, is to undergo an £85,000 restoration.

The Naval Temple at the Kymin, Monmouth was built by public subscription in honour of the Royal Navy in 1800.

It commemorates sixteen of Britain's greatest 18th century admirals, one of whom was Lord Horatio Nelson, and is dedicated to the Duchess of Beaufort, the chief local landowner.

The temple's condition has deteriorated over the years, most notably in the 19th century, when many of its features were lost.

Attempts to restore it were made in 1882 and it was later given to the National Trust in 1902 and restored in the late 1980s.

Philip Park, the National Trust's regional property manager, said: "As far as we know it's the only monument in the world that celebrates the glories of an entire Navy," said Mr Park.

Andrew Helme, curator of Monmouth Museum on Priory Street which has one of the biggest Nelson collections in the world, said the temple and The Round House were built by the gentlemen of Monmouth.

"They had a picnic club and were fed up of being rained on and built the tower with a kitchen, dining room and telescope," said Mr Helme.

"They decided to build the temple to celebrate the success of the British Navy in its defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of the Nile in 1798."

Nelson visited Monmouth in 1802 while travelling down the River Wye as part of a tour of South Wales with Sir William and Lady Hamilton.

"The people of Monmouth lined the streets to see him and he expressed great satisfaction when he saw the temple," said Mr Helme.

Major repairs needed include repairing the roof as water is seeping through and causing the plaster to come off and replacing two pictures in the triumphal arch that are missing.

Other work includes re-instating Britannia's missing trident, the decorations (or ‘swags’ ) above the inscribed disks (or ‘roundels’) that commemorate famous admirals, two ornate benches in the alcoves and four cannons at each corner.

"This will be a significant step forward but it won't be the end of the restoration," said Mr Park.

"Future work includes replacing the Britannia," he added.

Custodian, Sara Swzer, who has looked after the site for nine years said the restoration, which will take three months to complete by specialist contractors, will ensure the temple is in it's best condition for 150 years.

The National Trust has asked Monmouthshire council’s permission to carry out the work on the listed building.

Britain's greatest naval hero

LORD Horatio Nelson was Britain's greatest naval hero born in 1758.

He was made a lieutenant in the Navy aged 19 and in 1793 was put in command of HMS Agamemnon where he met Sir William and Lady Hamilton, who later became his lover.

He became a Rear Admiral of the Blue and was given a knighthood.

He is commemorated on the Naval Temple following his victory of Napoleon in the Battle of the Nile in 1798.