Efforts to secure the future of the historic World War II codebreaking centre at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire has been given a major cash injection by English Heritage.

The £330,000 grant is one of the largest awarded by English Heritage this year, and it will be put towards the urgent repair of the Grade-II listed mansion's roof to prevent further deterioration.

Since 1992, the Bletchley Park Trust has raised £5m to develop and restore the historic site, which is open to the public as a museum and events venue. But the trust has had no ongoing financial support to complete the restoration work until now.

English Heritage is also in discussions with the Bletchley Park Trust and Milton Keynes Borough Council to establish a conservation area partnership scheme which would enable the restoration of wartime huts.

Funding worth £100,000 a year over a three-year period starting in April would be put forward by English Heritage provided match-funding can be found to create a £600,000 fund.

Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "Bletchley Park played a fundamental role in the Allies winning the Second World War, and is of great importance to the history of Europe.

"The modest wartime huts at Bletchley are also of huge historical importance and it is vital that they are retained if people are to understand the significance of the whole estate."

Image: Gavin Fogg/PA Wire