A CAMPAIGN to save North-East town’s most famous landmark is gathering momentum and now includes a very public show of support.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for urgent repairs to Barnard Castle’s crumbling outer walls and banners bearing slogans such as ‘I am your town’s first building’ and ‘save my walls’ have appeared nearby, highlighting the strength of feeling in the town.

“People are saying very clearly they want the castle saving,” said Gary Marshall, who launched the petition last week.

“At least 1,000, maybe closer to 2,000 people have signed the petition already.”

Part of the walls facing Bridgegate collapsed in 2009 and there have been a series of rock falls since but English Heritage, Durham County Council and Raby Estates are still trying to resolve who is responsible for that section.

Barnard Castle Town Council is supporting the campaign and has written to all three for an update and is helping to organise a public meeting next month.

Town clerk, Michael King, said: “We share the public’s opinion and our concern is twofold, of the threat to an important piece of local heritage and public safety as this falling masonry is next to a public road.”

Mr Marshall said: “If we don’t fix this now the castle will fall down.

“People may think that is dramatic, but we have a little problem with one section now and if that wall goes the problem just gets bigger and bigger until no-one wants to tackle it.”

Mr Marshall has written to Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman and even called for royal approval of the campaign, by contacting the Prince of Wales’ office.

Ms Goodman said: “It is important that this is now mended.

“I have written to the three parties involved urging them to cooperate.

“The sooner that this is resolved the better so that the position does not deteriorate further which will make it more expensive to fix.”

Stuart Timmiss, head of planning and assets at Durham County Council, said the authority is clear it is not responsible for the repairs but continues to monitor the site.

He said: “We share the frustrations of the local residents and others keen to see this resolved and we will continue to push for a speedy conclusion.”

English Heritage, which cares for much of the castle, believes responsibility for the damaged wall lies with Raby Estates.

Andrew Lewis, estates manager at Raby, said: “The ownership is quite complex, if someone could produce some governance that would be a start.

“English Heritage is the agency responsible for scheduled monuments, if they aren’t there to have an opinion and decide what ultimately needs doing who is?”

A public meeting will be held at Teesdale Sports Centre, Barnard Castle, on Wednesday June 5, 7pm.