IRONICALLY, Castle Howard, in the beautiful Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire, owes its name only to a statement of status and not for actually being a castle.

However, in the grounds of this impressive home, near Malton, archaeologists are uncovering what they believe to be remains of Henderskelfe Castle, which was destroyed in 1699.

Resident archaeologist Stuart Noon is leading a team of local volunteers to excavate an area of the 10,000-acre estate between now and mid-September.

Also heavily involved is the head of visitor services, Richard Kemp. He said: "This is a great opportunity to get some soil shifted and some understanding of what went on here in the past.

"It is also very exciting and I am hoping that we increase our knowledge not only of the castle, but of the village of Henderskelfe."

The village was demolished by the 3rd Earl of Carlisle in order for him to start building Castle Howard. The villagers were re-homed in the area and many of their descendants live and work on the estate today.

Among the archives, Castle Howard still has a map of Henderskelfe, drawn by a local artist in 1694, which features the village's houses, church and castle. Today, trained archaeologists and eager volunteers are using this for guidance.

Mr Kemp said: "With this map, we have managed to work out where the castle would have been sited and we hope to prove once and for all its existence."

The dig is part of a five-year excavation programme, which last year saw television's Time Team descend on the stately home to try to discover the lost village.

They opened trenches and found numerous pieces of pottery and a lettered plaque dating from the 14th Century.

Henderskelfe, which means a hundred springs, is recorded as being in existence in 1066, towards the end of the Viking era, although Mr Kemp said no evidence from that period has yet been found.

He said: "Believe me, as soon as we find some evidence from the Viking age, even if it is a piece of pottery the size of my fingernail, you will know about it."

Any evidence that is found during the excavations will be put on display for the many thousands of visitors who come thought the doors each year.