HOPES are being raised that a long-running wrangle over a 700-year-old castle in Kirkbymoorside is about to come to an end.

English Heritage has told the town council, which owns Neville Castle, that one of the agency's conservation engineers is to carry out a study to prepare a repair strategy for the monument because of its close proximity to a public footpath on the edge of the market town.

Elizabeth Thompson, case work officer for English Heritage, said an assessment of the castle had been carried out in readiness for the repairs.

A programme of work needed is to be drawn up to enable grants to be applied for, she said.

However, grant aid would be conditional on the council engaging a qualified conservation architect to oversee the work.

A photographic record has to be carried out before the ruins are repaired and the council will have to provide an interpretation panel at the site to inform visitors of its history.

"We hope to finalise the case rapidly when we have the engineer's report," said Ms Thompson.

Town clerk Robert Horne said the council had funding in place to carry out the work, which is needed because of the danger of falling masonry hitting passers-by.

Warning signs have been put up because of the risk.