A DETERMINED mum's ambition to restore a crumbling gothic hall will feature in a new TV documentary.
Karen Roberts aims to renovate Gwern Hall, near Llandegla, to its former glory within a year - and has asked for craftsman, labourers and volunteers to help.
A diary of her venture will be recorded by independent TV company Brighton TV commissioned by Discovery Channel for a new 13-part series.
Programme makers believe Karen's Grade Two listed Victorian home is probably the most spectacular they will film.
Karen bought the hall at auction in 1997 but would not reveal how much she paid..
"Several TV companies contacted me about covering possible restoration work but it is only in the last few weeks that I have been able to get on with it," said Karen, who is living with a friend near Llandegla.
"It's Gothic style with five bedrooms and has a hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room, large kitchen, utility and has about 15 acres of land," said Karen, a single parent who has two children.
"I really want to bring the building back to what it was and I'm looking for anyone who thinks they can help, who can spare a few hours, days, whatever they can. The grounds will also need restoring."
With magnificent views over Llandegla Moors, Karen plans to make it her home. One of the reasons the programme makers selected Karen was because of her experience of project managing 30 property restorations.
"I have project managed at least 30 property restorations in the past," said Karen, who comes originally from Rhostyllen near Wrexham.
Gwern Hall is a Gothic-style Victorian property built in 1863 - although some parts date back to the 17th Century - by the owner of nearby Nant-y-Frith as a wedding present for his daughter. The original owners did not like the property and rented it out as a farm.
During the war it became a home for Liverpool evacuees until it was bought in 1951.
Brighton TV producer Nick Kennedy said: "We are looking at properties and people who are trying to go about the work being sensitive to what is already there."
Anyone interested in getting involved in the work can contact Karen on 07859 846562.
