THE leaking roof of a medieval castle is to be fixed as part of a £7m restoration programme.

The programme is the first phase in a conservation scheme for Durham Castle, owned by Durham University.

The Northern Rock Foundation pledged £450,000 towards the project.

Vice-Chancellor, Sir Kenneth Calman, said: "This is a tremendous demonstration of support for the heritage of the region.

"It is a timely and important gift, which we hope will prove to be a key towards the attraction of further support from other sources."

Sir David Chapman, a trustee of the Northern Rock Foundation, said: "The castle is one of the major architectural treasures of Europe and an instantly recognisable symbol of the North-East.

"Our investment gives the restoration work the initial boost it needs, and the profile that will help bring other investors on board."

The roof was installed in 1840, above the castle's Norman Gallery and its wing, dating back to the eleventh century is a focal point of the visitor tours of the building.

The slates and stonework are decaying and letting in water, which is undermining the internal wooden structure.

Later phases of the scheme will improve public access to areas such as the fifteenth century kitchens, which are still in use; the Senate Rooms that provided lodgings for judges; and the Norman Chapel.

The refurbishment programme is the biggest to be carried out at the castle since the Thirties, when crumbling foundations threatened to see it slide into the River Wear.

The castle, along with the nearby cathedral, is a designated World Heritage Site.

It was founded in 1072 by the Normans and was the traditional seat of the Prince Bishops of Durham.

It was handed over to the then-new Durham University in 1837 and remains the oldest building in the UK used as student accommodation.