A RICH vein of horseracing history in the North-East will have its lifeblood returned thanks to a massive cash injection.

The Heritage Lottery Fund yesterday announced it was awarding £1.5m to the National Trust to buy and restore the derelict stables, which were built between 1747 and 1751, and an orangery at Gibside, Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, Tyneside.

National Trust property manager and project manager Tony Walton said: "This is an exciting day that we have been working long and hard for.

"The stables are not going to be turned into a coffee shop or visitor centre, but returned to their original use as working stables.

"There will be opportunities for lifelong learning and school visits, and for use by community groups."

Mr Walton said: "The stables are at the core of the history of Gibside, which was the creation of George Bowes.

"His grandson, John, was the most amazing racehorse owner and breeder of his time with nine Derby winners, three of which were stabled here."

They were trained by John Scott, known throughout the racing fraternity as the Wizard of the North.

These included the legendary West Australian, which also won the 1,000 Guineas and the St Leger - the first winner of the Triple Crown.

The Lottery award is in addition to £914,000 from the National Trust's central funds, raised by its members, and £150,000 from English Heritage.

Plans for the estate, which has links with the late Queen Mother, include stabilising the ruins of the 18th Century orangery built for Mary Eleanor Bowes.

The formal borders will be replanted, drawing inspiration from the original planting scheme.

Green Close, next to Gibside Hall, will be returned to open grassland to open up the vistas around the hall.

Programming work for the project will start immediately, with the completion of all planning and survey work and planning approvals during next winter.

Keith Bartlett, Heritage Lottery Fund manager for the North-East, said: "We are excited by the opportunities they will present for us to share Gibside with even more people and bring the story of the estate to life."