Decorators are currently working at the National Trust's Canons Ashby House, near Daventry, repainting the Great Hall to recreate the way it would have looked when Sir Henry Dryden lived there, from 1837 to 1899.

To make sure exactly the right mix of paint is used, gentle scrapings have been taken from the walls and old paintings have been studied to work out what furniture to put into the room.

Victoria Witty, house steward at Canons Ashby, said: "When Canons Ashby was built by John Dryden in the 16th century, the Great Hall was the heart of the house and the room where guests were greeted and festivities held.

"Henry was here for a long time and was a big character. He used to dress up as a hobo and go into the village and invite other tramps back to the house for big lunches."

Despite the ongoing repairs, the house remains open to visitors, who will be able to see the conservation work.

She said: "The repainting will go on while we're open to visitors, which is a great chance for us to showcase our conservation work.

"It is nice to let the public see what we have to do to keep the house in a good state of repair."

Painting work on the Great Hall is expected to finish by the end of this week but, throughout the rest of the year, work will continue to acquire furniture and objects that will complete the presentation of the room.

The country house will be open to visitors until November 2 and, following the redecoration, there will be a small display about the project, explaining the work that has been done with a number of photos on show.

Canons Ashby was built in the 16th century but was acquired by The National Trust in the 1960s, after the Dryden family moved to southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

For more information about Canons Ashby, call 01327 861900 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk