EXPERTS with a head for heights are to check wear and tear on a North-East landmark, by abseiling down it.

Steeplejacks from Stone Technical Services will scale the 152ft Column of Liberty in Gibside, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, then abseil down it, as part of a National Trust survey of the monument.

The trust carried out restoration work in 1993, when the monument was found to be in a dangerous condition.

Now experts want to check how well it has withstood the wind and rain over the past decade.

A video recording of the column by the contractors will give National Trust staff on the ground the chance to survey its condition.

The interior of the landmark - once the highest in the country outside of London - is filled with rubble, so it can only be climbed from the outside.

On Wednesday, the contractors will put up two safety rings around the top of the column. Once these are in place, they will begin their steady descent, recording the condition of the stonework, joints, pointing, metal cramps and the statue.

They will also undertake small repairs and assess whether more substantial work is required.

The Column to Liberty was designed by Daniel Garrett and was built between 1750 and 1757 for the Gibside estate owner and coal baron, George Bowes.

At the time, it was the tallest in the country after Sir Christopher Wren's Monument, built to commemorate the Great Fire of London.

Gibside is the former home of the late Queen Mother's family, the Bowes-Lyons.