THE Darnley Mausoleum in Cobham Park - recently acquired for the nation by Gravesham council - is to have three metre high metal sheeting put round it to protect it from further vandalism.

The historic monument has been smashed, set on fire, used for drug parties, and become a dump for stolen cars since Cobham Park was left by the Darnley family 50 years ago.

The council is providing a service road to the building so that restoration can begin. It was built as a tomb more than 200 years ago but was never used for the purpose of housing the mortal remains of the Darnleys. It forms part of a major restoration of the parkland to public use which the council is encouraging a charitable trust to undertake.

Eventually it will be handed over to the National Trust as its Millennium project. The National Trust and the Channel Tunnel link builders are among the organisations pumping money into the plan to preserve the park as a public open space.