CAMPAIGNERS calling for repairs to a town's crumbling castle walls hope some royal influence will speed up talks about the work.

Part of Barnard Castle's walls facing onto Bridgegate collapsed four years ago and Raby Estates, English Heritage and Durham County Council are trying to resolve who is responsible for repairs.

A petition launched last month demanding urgent action to protect and make the walls safe has been signed by more than 1,000 people and a public meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed, amid hopes of a breakthrough by the three organisations.

Resident Gary Marshall, who set up the petition, also wrote to the Prince of Wales for support and has received a response from his office describing the state of the walls as a ‘distressing situation’.

Prince Charles has referred the matter to English Heritage and Bishop Auckland MP, Helen Goodman, has backed the campaign.

Mr Marshall, who was also involved in a demonstration at the castle on Saturday, said: “They have had since 2009 to sort this out, yet a few days before our public meeting we’re told there is finally progress.

“I’m hopeful that the three bodies are going to sort this out and we’ve put our meeting back to see if anything positive happens.

“But people from the town came out on Saturday to say we won’t go away or be fobbed off.

“Hopefully a nudge from Prince Charles will also move things along.”