A WINCHESTER man bequeathed his historical home to a building conservation charity.

Chris Webb who died in September 2015, aged 76, left his 18th century house at Chernocke Place, off Southgate Street, to the Landmark Trust.

Mr Webb was a tireless campaigner for civic causes, including helping to secure the preservation of the Hockley Viaduct outside Winchester which formerly carried the Southampton to Newbury railway.

At one stage the concrete and brick structure was set for demolition but has now been restored and opened to the public.

The Landmark Trust owns around 200 properties ranging from farms, cottages, mills and towers ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

A trust spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that we have recently taken on Chernocke Place in Winchester, following Mr Christopher Webb’s wishes.

“We are grateful to Mr Webb for both his work to preserve the listed townhouse in his lifetime, and his determination that it should have a secure future. We are currently exploring a number of options for its future.”

Many trust properties are holiday lets.

Among the projects that Mr Webb was involved with was the commemoration of the link between a city centre building and a Sherlock Holmes short story. A plaque was unveiled at Black Swan buildings to mark the site of a hotel where Holmes and sidekick Watson lunched in The Copper Beeches.

In 2012Chris Webb , left, with Andy Hurdle, centre, and Phil Wilson , both of Southern Electric Contracting, St Thomas’ Passage, Winchester. The copper lanterns marked with his parents’ initials are being sent off to be refurbished Tuesday 29th May 2012.