WORK on historic Les Caches Barn at Le Gouffre has been set back due to damp in the plaster.

Renovation efforts on the property, owned by the National Trust of Guernsey since 1995, began in 2006 to bring it back to its 1840s glory.

‘Hopefully, we are going to keep a secondary collection of folk metals, like tools and agriculture,’ said the trust’s Paul Le Pelley (pictured).

‘We hoped it would be up and running by now.’

So far two fireplaces have been built, as well as the second floor. The roof was removed and replaced with reeds to form a thatch. Walls were also strengthened and lintels replaced.

Work continued until last year. But this summer it looks doubtful the building will be ready for the public.

The lime plaster used on the internal wall takes two years to dry and salts have started coming out of the walls.

This means the trust has not been able to lay out any displays.