A curious 130-year-old whalebone arch gracing a manor in Dorset, England, was preserved for posterity thanks to a bit of serendipity and a lot of specialist knowledge.

Deirdre and Howard Coates bought Chideock Manor 14 years ago and have watched the whalebone arch - probably dating back to around 1880 - steadily crumble before their eyes.

Click here for the full report.