A GUILLOTINE traditionally used to dispose of members of the aristocracy has been built by a baronet to form the centrepiece of a village fair.

Sir Anthony Milbank's family have lived at Barningham Park for more than 300 years and he commissioned the guillotine to be built when he heard the village was to have a French-themed fete.

The guillotine, which has been built by Barnard Castle joiner Alan Heavisides, is an exact replica of a 1792 guillotine similar to the one used to decapitated Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Barningham vicar the Reverend Christopher Cowper said: "French lessons have been running in the village hall for some time and the village is quite Francophile at the minute."

Sir Anthony said: "I had to do a bit of research to get the guillotine built and I learnt that guillotines were also used by Hitler.

"I'm not sure what people will think of an aristocrat building a guillotine, but they'll probably think it is a bit strange."

The Barningham French day takes place on the village green on Saturday, July 3, from noon until 4.30pm.

As well as the guillotine, entertainment will be provided by French folk singer Flossie and there will be stalls, boules matches and a bouncy castle.

Entrance is £2 for adults, children are free. Proceeds go to church funds.