BUDLEIGH Salterton's Fairlynch Museum turret - famously designed as a look-out for ships – is currently being re-thatched by Sidmouth man Mark Smith.

BUDLEIGH Salterton's Fairlynch Museum turret - famously designed as a look-out for ships - is currently being re-thatched by Sidmouth man Mark Smith.

Master thatcher Mr Smith hopes to complete the work before the end of the year.

He said: "The view from the top is certainly a good site.

"The museum is being thatched in water reed, which has been used for many years in East Devon."

Fairlynch is one of very few thatched museums in existence.

A typical example of a Marine Cottage Orne, it was built around 1811 by ship owner Matthew Lee Yeates.

It is believed he added the turret so he could see his ships arriving with their loads of limestone and coal for the Budleigh lime kilns, and timber for Exmouth.

The Grade II listed house has an unusual feature for a house of its size - a double-wing staircase.

Fairlynch Museum has an extensive collection of lace, social history and archaeological and geological exhibits, as well as costumes and toys