A FARM which was the scene of a terrible triple murder in the seventeenth century has become a haven for relaxation.

The present-day inhabitants of High Hill House Farm at Dean Bank, near Ferryhill, this week opened a new venture, Broom Mill Day Spa, on the site of an old granary and coach house.

Jill Cheesmond has teamed up with her parents, Ned and Val, and her sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Mark Larn, to create the new business.

Today and tomorrow they are holding two open days when anyone interested can go to look round the new facilities.

The spa boasts three treatment rooms, a consultation area, pool, kitchen and dining area, changing rooms, aromatherapy room, saunas, infra-red and white light rooms.

Miss Cheesmond came up with the idea after her brother, Paul, with his family, emigrated to farm in Canada.

High Hill House is still a 168-acre organic dairy farm but, because of the way farming has gone, it was not big enough to provide a living wage for Paul and his son, who also wanted to farm.

After they decided to emigrate, the remaining family members decided to look at new sources of income.

"We wanted to be able to make sure we could keep the farm going and this seemed like a great idea," said Miss Cheesmond, who has six years' experience as a skincare, spa and holistic therapist, and who has lectured at Stockton College.

Apart from the usual beauty treatments, the holistic therapy includes Indian head massage and body wraps.

"We could not have opened without the help of grant aid from Defra's rural enterprise scheme," she said. "The facilities we have are fantastic and we compare them to those at Slaley Hall, but on a smaller scale.

"We offer a whole range of treatments and, as it's fairly small, it can be hired out exclusively to small groups or individuals, business groups and friends, to spend either a half or full day with us. Alternatively they can just come along for a single treatment session.

"We are also particularly keen to welcome male clients as many of the treatments we offer have great health benefits."

With men in mind, the spa even has a snooker table.

Miss Cheesmond's sister, Dawn, has given up teaching to train as a therapist and to run the business side of the enterprise.

Mr Larn's husband, Mark, is also involved and their teenage son, Daniel, even helps out on reception at weekends.

If all goes well, the spa expects to create a further two jobs within a year.

Ken Haynes, a Defra rural development service adviser, said: "This venture should provide a fantastic new facility for this rural area.

"It represents an innovative solution to the use of redundant buildings and targets a growth sector within the leisure industry, offering long-term sustainability for the farming enterprise.

"And it will help to secure and create new jobs, which is one of the key aims of the rural enterprise scheme."

The spa is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-5pm, but the hours are flexible, depending on demand.

Anyone interested can visit the spa today and tomorrow for a look round or obtain further details on 01740 654 225.

* The farm was the scene of a macabre triple murder 1in 1682.

John Brass, 17, and his two sisters Jane, 19, and Elizabeth, ten, were murdered by their father's servant while their parents, John and Margaret, were enjoying a night out in Ferryhill.

The servant, Andrew Mills, claimed to have acted under the influence of the Devil. He was later tortured, executed and his body left on a gibbet, at the mercy of the elements.