APPROACHING Windlestone Hall from the sweeping entrance road, I’m not prepared for what I see. The hall is in a truly sad state.

Accompanying me are Malcolm Miles and Jean Sullivan, both ex-pupils at Windlestone in the 1960s and 70s. For them this is personal.

“This was our home for a number of years and to see it like this is heartbreaking,” says Mr Miles.

Mrs Sullivan, 58, from Consett, who owns a gatehouse at the entrance to the estate, says matter of factly: "The kids have wrecked the hall."

Two years ago they were both at a reunion, hosted by former owner William Davenport, who at least had attempted to repair the roof and make the place inhabitable.

He is now serving a jail sentence for fraud after passing himself off as a wealthy American businessman in order to get a mortgage.

Mrs Sullivan recalls having a party in the property just last year when she and a group of friends were invited to stay by Davenport.

“We thought he was a good guy,” she says.

The main entrance door is wide open and we walk through, the crunch of broken glass being heard under our feet. A couple of empty cigarette packets lay on a table, while there is graffiti everywhere and thick, black mould on walls.

There are deep holes in some sections of flooring which could easily trap a young person, while electrical wires are strewn about in one room and hanging in the air.

“It is definitely dangerous,” says Mrs Sullivan. “Someone could be dead here for a week and no-one would know.

“It is so sad. When we were here the place was absolutely beautiful.”

There are some relatively untouched aspects, a wonderful ornate ceiling at the top of a giant flight of stars remains in place. However a large mirror at the top of the stairs has been smashed.

Mrs Sullivan also reveals how a fireplace has been taken in the few weeks since she was last present at the property.

“There is great history attached to the building and this is a very sad chapter,” says her friend, 57-year-old Mr Miles, who lives in South Shields.

The most remarkable sights are in a large ground floor room apparently used by the Davenports to live and sleep in.

There are family possessions strewn everywhere, dirty duvets, slippers, even underwear. Bank statements and other personal documents are also scattered about and we spot an empty police evidence bag.

Mr Miles manages to raise a smile when he sees a get well card he had sent William Davenport while he was in hospital for a back injury.

“I spent seven good years living in this lovely building and it was well maintained,” he says.

“We had a great childhood and it is really sad to see it in this state. Something needs to be done soon, another bad winter and it could fall apart.”

One room has dozens of broken bathroom fittings, while what was the kitchen is also a horrendous sight.

Parts of the building are reminiscent of something from a horror film, dead flies and cobwebs litter windows. There are steps down to a dark and dingy cellar we quickly walk past.

Despite the property’s depressing decline both Mr Miles and Mrs Sullivan retain hopes that brighter days could still lay ahead.

“I would like Barclays to sell it to a developer and restore it to something like it was 20 or 30 years ago,” says Mr Miles.

Mrs Sullivan says she hopes the hall could be converted into apartments or even taken over by a hotel chain.

One can only hope that a genuine investor is found with the wherewithal to restore the building and soon before it is too late.