A US tycoon has unveiled plans for the multi-million pound restoration of a castle damaged by fire.

Work is already under way to repair Allerton Castle, near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, after part of the country house was badly damaged in a blaze, on January 22. It was thought to have started in a chimney.

Millionaire businessman Dr Gerald Rolph, who bought the 18th Century property in 1983, hopes parts of the castle gutted in the blaze can be re-roofed by the end of the year.

But Dr Rolph, former vice-president of the Tandy electronics corporation, admits some of the castle's grandest features will be lost forever.

Talking about the oak panelling in the burnt-out dining room, said to be the finest outside the Houses of Parliament, he said: "If you lose a Rembrandt painting you can't duplicate it.

"That room was like a Rembrandt."

He said modern building techniques would be used to repair some areas the castle.

"The fire gives us the opportunity to use modern structural techniques behind the scenes, but with the outside surfaces identical to the way it was originally," he said.

"We know from records that the construction techniques of most country houses rebuilt after a fire normally used the latest technology available."

Dr Rolph, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for much of the year, also intends to improve insulation in the property.

The restoration of the damaged areas of the Gothic front of the castle will cost several million pounds.

The majority of the money will come from insurers. But the service wing only had limited insurance cover and Dr Rolph is considering seeking help from banks to rebuild the annex as an office and apartment complex.

The castle is a popular venue for weddings, and photographs taken during recent ceremonies may be used to restore features to their original design.

Staff say that of the 18 weddings booked this month and next, five are still going ahead in surviving rooms or a marquee in the castle grounds.

England international footballer Jamie Carragher has booked the venue for his wedding to girlfriend Nicola Hart in July and has not called to cancel.