IT'S said that, with regard to housework, a woman's work is never done, but one Teesdale man might challenge that.

For Raby Castle assistant custodian Alan Welsh, who is due to retire shortly, is one half of a duo responsible for keeping on top of the cleaning at the medieval castle.

But he is now looking forward to putting his feet up after 12 years of looking after the castle's 100 rooms alongside custodian Roly Marshall.

And while busy householders rely on all the conveniences of modern living, such as furniture polish sprays, the pair rely on tried and tested old favourites such as beeswax and black lead.

Mr Welsh knows every nook and cranny of the castle and exactly where they are up to in the extensive cleaning programme. "The castle opens at Easter, which can fall in March or April, but we always manage to be ready in time," he said.

And as soon as the castle closes in September the whole cleaning round starts again. But this year Mr Welsh will not be part of it.

"I live with my daughter, who does our cleaning, but I tell her off if I think she's not doing it right!" he said. "I might also pop into the castle as a visitor and run my finger over the furniture, just to see they are keeping things up to scratch."

His position will be filled by David Sanderson, who has been training to take over the position since Mr Welsh announced his retirement.