THE mystery surrounding the location of a vanished medieval castle in Aiskew could soon be solved.

Amateur archaeologists from Bedale Archaeology and History Society are planning to pin down the exact spot where the castle once stood.

Peter Cole, the society's press officer, said: "A castle in Aiskew is listed in Hird's Annals of Bedale, but there is no mention of it on any Ordnance Survey maps. We think what happened was that the stone was stolen by people for their own buildings.

"We believe we may have found some bits and pieces that might belong to it."

The group is also undertaking a project at Swainby, near Stokesley. "We are looking to do some work on the abbey at Swainby," said Mr Cole. "A local farmer has allowed us to look on his land and we have taken some aerial photographs of the area.

"That has led us to believe that there might be something of interest there, so we did some field work and have already found some pottery."

A meeting to plan both projects takes place in Bedale Hall on Tuesday evening at 7.30. Admission is £1.50 or free to society members. For further details, contact Patricia Tricker, programme secretary, on 01677 450176.