THE Prince of Wales has made a "sizeable" donation to a bid to save Aylesford Priory's architectural heritage - now under greater threat than ever. Prince Charles' contribution to the £1 million restoration appeal at The Friars came in a letter expressing his wish to visit the Carmelite establishment.

The letter from one of the Prince's secretaries asked that the amount of the donation be kept secret. It said the Prince would visit Aylesford if time allowed.

The donation is being treated as an important ray of hope after a bad month in which fears grew for the future of the 15th century Grade I listed gatehouse, which suddenly developed cracks.

English Heritage has at last released cash running into thousands of pounds to fund emergency work to prop up the subsiding gatehouse and a nearby wall, of similar vintage, parts of which collapsed more than a month ago.

Architects have now discovered three other parts of the complex under threat, pushing up restoration costs to well beyond the £1 million original estimate.

A 16th century chimney stack, which runs up the side of a building overlooking the courtyard, is now considered unstable.

Walls of the same building have also fallen into disrepair.

Concrete put in during the 1950s at the Prior's Hall has deteriorated, endangering windows, which it supports.

Priory authorities are still awaiting a decision from English Heritage to approve plans to restore the gatehouse, now occupied by a group of religious women, called the Donum Dei. They hope English Heritage will help fund the scheme.

Ros Duddell, secretary to the prior of Aylesford, Fr Wilfrid McGreal, said Prince Charles' donation could not have come at a better time.

Mrs Duddell said: "We are absolutely delighted about the news from Prince Charles. It is wonderful that he wants to support The Friars in this way."

But she added: "Concern for the future of the buildings is growing, especially with the winter months coming up. It is all a big worry."

Mrs Duddell said the priory authorities were poised to re-house the several Donum Dei women elsewhere in the complex should the state of the gatehouse worsen.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to The Friars restoration appeal should telephone 01622 717272. Colin Dexter, the inspiration behind the Inspector Morse TV detective series, will be guest speaker at a dinner in aid of The Friars' appeal, on Thursday, October 18, at 7.30pm. For information, contact Ros Duddell at The Friars, Aylesford, ME20 7BX. Ring 01622 717272.