A fundraising appeal has been launched as conservation work being carried out at Winston Churchill's family home reaches an important stage.

The project has been running since April, with scaffolding being put up around the bell tower, and the south and east wings to allow for work to be done to the windows and walls of Chartwell House.

Water has been leaking into the building for years, and has caused severe damage to the building, renovated in 1922 from its 16th century origins.

It is hoped that this work will protect the National Trust property and its interiors from further deterioration.

Work began on installing new windows last week.

As this work began, the National Trust announced that it was launching a £7.1m appeal to reinvigorate Churchill's legacy, and to acquire hundreds of historic and personal objects from the house's history.

The money will also be used to increase access to the collections, and open new rooms of the house previously unseen by the public.

Items include the former prime minister's library of inscribed books, medallions, gifts and awards that he received from around the world.

One such award is his Nobel Prize for Literature, which was given to him in 1953 for his iconic speeches.

Many of these speeches were composed at his Westerham home.

Katherine Barnett, Chartwell's house and collections manager, said: "There is something very special about Chartwell, where visitors can experience Churchill's personal and public world through the possessions that meant so much to him.

"The collection tells us about Winston Churchill the man. It is crucial we do all we can to ensure these heirlooms stay here where he hoped they would remain.