A NEOLITHIC monument has had to be closed off to the public because it has been declared unsafe.

Hetty Pegler’s Tump, in Uley, has been shut by English Heritage because of fears it is too dangerous for people to go into.

An inspection by a structural engineer found that the chambers inside the tomb were cracking and cannot be relied upon to support the heavy stones above.

However plans are afoot to repair the tump, also known as Uley Long Barrow, and Gloucestershire Archaeological Service (GAS) is working with English Heritage, who own the site, to plan repairs and raise funds for structural work.

Toby Catchpole, of GAS, said: "The barrow is a really lovely place to visit but at the moment unfortunately people cannot go inside it because it is too unsafe.

"The structure has been deteriorating for sometime and in the 19th century it was repaired. The large stones were held up by dry-stone walls, which are now crumbling away."

Mr Catchpole said they hope to start repairs next financial year as the costs would be quite high for the work, which is very specialist.

The tump, which is situated on the B4066 between Nympsfield and Uley, is around 4,000 years old and is an excellent example of a Neolithic Cotswold chambered tomb. Archaeological excavations in the 1800s uncovered around 24 skeletons inside the chambers. Before it was closed off visitors could go into the chambers on hands and knees and it is the only barrow in Gloucestershire that has access inside.

The barrow is said to be named after Hester Peggler, a local 17th century land-owner’s wife.

Janet Wood, district and parish councillor for Uley, said: "It is very unfortunate that it has had to be closed off. The parish council are very supportive of the restoration of the barrow although we are aware it will be costly and take some time."