THE restored Clavell Tower on Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast has opened its doors to the public.

The historic landmark has been moved back from the cliff edge at Kimmeridge Bay in an 18-month, £898,000 project.

Having been dismantled brick by brick, the four-storey ruin was rebuilt 82ft inland.

The monument was built by the Rev John Richards Clavell in 1830 as an observatory and folly and was the inspiration for crime writer PD James' novel The Black Tower.

Dorset author Thomas Hardy also used the grade II-listed building, taking his first love Eliza Nicholl there.

The Landmark Trust, which looks after the tower, is planning to let it out to make it self- financing.