THATCHERS working on a set of north Hampshire cottages could not have a bigger job on their hands.

Manor Cottages, in Freefolk, near Whitchurch, is a terrace of 18 properties that share 18,000 square feet of thatched roof spread over 600 feet - making it the longest span of residential thatch in Britain.

Having last been renewed in 1978, the thatching needs to be replaced - a job that will take a six-strong team of specialists six months and requires 75 tonnes of specially-grown Austrian water reed.

It is costing Kingfisher Housing Association, which owns the cottages, £350,000 to have the work done. In addition to replacing the thatch, a fire barrier is being put in between the roof and the rafters and the chimney leadwork replaced.

Jason Morley, the master thatcher leading the project, said: "Considering the thatch was last replaced in 1978 and no work has been done to it since then, it is in quite good shape and the job is going well overall.

"We have already found a wasps' nest in the roof but that is a common problem for us. It is just the sort of material they like to nest in so we see them a lot.

"Another problem is the weather. There is nothing underneath the thatch, so if the roof is off, everything gets wet.

"We have tarpaulin that we use to cover everything, but it is a case of getting the timing right, especially when we get heavy showers."

The cottages were originally built in 1938 by the Portal Estate as almshouses for people working at the company's paper mill in Laverstoke.

They were purchased by Kingfisher Housing Association as part of a portfolio of properties in 1997.

Deborah Broadhurst, development director at the Wessex Housing Partnership, Kingfisher Housing Association's parent company, said: "Rethatching such a spectacular building is not only essential to ensure the continued integrity of a watertight roof, but it will produce an even more aesthetically pleasing roofline.

"We have consulted with residents throughout the planning of this project and are working closely with the thatcher to ensure as little disruption to residents as possible and an impressive end result for all concerned."

Reginald Dredge, who is 87 and has lived in the cottages since the 1950s, when he was employed as an engineer at Portals, said: "I remember the last time they replaced the thatching. It looks really good when it is first done and it should look the same again when they finish the job this time."