A project to repair the city walls surrounding Chichester, Sussex, has been awarded £685,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Led by Chichester District Council, the Chichester City Walls Partnership is looking to carry out work on the walls over a three-year period. Chichester's 1,700-year old walls are a scheduled monument, and at 1.5 miles (2.4km), they are the most intact circuit of town and city walls in south east England. Along with repairs to the most critical areas of the walls, the HLF grant will go towards funding community archaeological projects, providing disabled access, and historical research.

Nick Thomas, the council's portfolio holder for culture and sport, said: "The Chichester City Walls are important not only to local residents, but to people across the world due to their historic value. "The project will include a wide-range of community activities including excavations and research. Access arrangements for people with disabilities will be improved, along with the signage around the walls. There will also be some repairs to the city walls so that they remain in good condition for the enjoyment of future generations."

The head of HLF in the south east, Michelle Davies, said: "These historic walls have stood since the third century but time has taken its toll. This news means urgent structural repairs can be undertaken, while a host of events and activities will bring the history of the walls to life."