PLANS to keep a series of 17th Century paintings in their North-East home have been welcomed by a local civic trust.

Bishop Auckland Civic Society has backed a proposal that the Zurburan paintings remain at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, where they have hung since 1756.

The Church of England has said it wants to sell the 13 paintings to raise money for cash-strapped dioceses and parishes.

However, plans are being discussed for a joint partnership between the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, and Auckland Castle.

The partnership would see the 13 paintings, of Jacob and his 12 sons, being bought by the Bowes Museum, but remaining in Auckland Castle.

The castle, also the home of the Bishop of Durham, would then be jointly marketed with the museum and become a major tourist attraction and education centre.

Dr Bob McManners, chairman of Bishop Auckland Civic Society, and a trustee of the castle, said he supported the proposal and felt it was the best solution.

"Although the paintings are very important, they don't have such massive significance outside of the Long Dining Room at the castle, which was redesigned specifically to take these paintings and was probably the first purpose- built gallery in the country."

He added: "Keeping the paintings this way will keep the heritage and will not be another example of assets being stripped from the North, like the Lindisfarne Gospels or the Madonna of the Pinks.

"This will be the best solution but it will take a lot of vision and a lot of enthusiasm.

"It also means the castle can function as it ought to - as a religious house. If it is able to become an educational centre then that would be extremely good."

Published: 08/01/2005