There has been a dramatic change in Falmouth's skyline over the last couple of weeks as the famous observatory tower is covered in scaffolding with a restoration project underway.

Alen Susnjara bought the tower at the highest point in the town near Bowling Green Park last year and work has now started on making the four-story building a home again complete with 360-degree windows on the top floor.

He said that when he bought the listed building it was in need of a complete overhaul and liased with Cornwall Council's planning and conservation department to give the plans the go-ahead.

"They were good in allowing us to do that and now we have had it stripped out, gutted and surveyed. We hope it will be built some time in October but it is not an easy build. We need to renew all the floors and staircases so it will be a slow process."

Currently living in Carnon Downs, Alen said that he and his wife Linda would want to live there one day, but once their children leave home because it is small inside.

"We are looking to put in a new roof with 360-degree windows so it is restored as an observation deck and restore the old camera obscura as well. So we will get some pleasure in using that."

Built in 1868, when the building was first used as an observatory tower it had a camera obscura - a device which projects an image of its surroundings on a screen.

Alen added: "The neighbours have been fantastic. They have all been up and had a chat saying how wonderful it is that it is being restored. It's nice to have that because when builders move in people aren't always too keen but everyone has been friendly and helpful."

Penzance-based builder Phil Gray is currently working on the site.