A Ripon woman was this week been given the key of the door ... but she's not 21.

Mother-of-two Mrs Greta Wass, aged 55, from West Tanfield, near Ripon, has added the new key to the large bunch she already has as church cleaner.

She has taken on the role of key-keeper of the 15th century Marmion Tower, a rare medieval gatehouse which once guarded a ferry crossing in the village on the River Ure.

She will keep an eye on the monument and ensure there is daily access to its two-storey interior.

Since the last key-keeper retired eight months ago, the tower has been kept closed but now it is back in business for history-lovers.

Mrs Wass, who lives 100 yards from the tower, said: "The job should keep me fit and it ties in nicely with my other job as cleaner at the village church.

"I took the job because the people in the village have been so good to my family. I was diagnosed with cancer when we first came to the village and everyone rallied round to help. This is my way of giving something back. My doctor said I needed to get out and about and climbing the 100 or so steps twice a day will help keep me on my toes," she said.

Mrs Wass will open the tower each morning at 10am and close it at 6pm.

The Marmion Tower, which has a superb oriel window, was originally a gatehouse for the now demolished Tanfield Castle, a fortified manor house.

Mr John Hinchliffe, English Heritage's assistant regional director, said: "We have more than 30 sites and key-keepers fulfil an essential role at some of the smaller properties such as this."