by Katie Lamborn

Hundreds of people have joined an online group in a bid to generate cash for one of the county's landmark heritage sites.

More than three hundred people have joined the facebook group Restore Rochester Castle saying they want to return it to its original splendour.

The group wants to raise enough money to repair the Keep and to buy new floors and a new roof.

Fundraising ideas so far have included holding a medieval festival in the town.

Group creator Jon O'Donnell said: "Membership of the group is growing everyday," said Mr O'Donnell.

"I've been pleasantly surprised how many people are so emotionally attached. It's part of people's Medway identity."

"Medway Council and English Heritage shouldn't be expected to dig deeper given the harsh economic times."

The council say future planned improvements for the castle can be accessed through their website.

English Heritage Assistant Visitor Operations Director for the South East, Samantha Lloyd said: “We welcome the interest of local people in the future of the castle.

"Our latest estimates are that it would cost at least £10million to re-roof the castle. It has been looked at many times over the last few years and is not currently affordable.

"The Castle is regularly surveyed and is in a generally good state of repair. The recent wall collapse was not the original castle wall but a much more recent wall."

"Critics should look at restoration as a business proposition," says Mr O'Donnell.

"The castle is a tourist attraction in its own right and preserving it will bring more money into the Medway towns."