WHEN Alfred Allen first arrived at Beningbrough Hall it was as a humble, below-stairs hall-boy.

But his return to the stately home yesterday could not have been more different - he was treated as an honoured guest and given the full VIP treatment.

Now aged 88 and confined to a wheelchair, Alfred was just 18 when he first arrived at the hall in 1930.

He grew up at Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, at a time when jobs were scarce, but his aunt told him that because he was tall and smart he would have no trouble making a career in service.

After four years as a servant for a local family, he went to Beningbrough, near York, as the hall-boy, whose main duties were to lay tables and wait on the butler and other servants.

But he rose up the domestic ladder, becoming a footman, and then taking over as butler, responsible for the smooth running of the hall.

Beningbrough was then owned and occupied by Lord and Lady Chesterfield, who had close links with the horse-racing fraternity of the time.

Every day, Lady Chesterfield would give Alfred a guest list so he could allocate bedrooms for her guests.

Then she would discuss menus and advise who would be joining them for lunch or dinner.

After Army service during the war, Alfred returned to Beningbrough, and remained there until 1953, when he went to work in a hotel in Ilfracombe.

The hall passed into the hands of the National Trust in 1957, and is one of its most popular properties.

Alfred has long since retired and lives with his wife Mona in Stockton.

But with the help of St John Ambulance, the pair returned to Beningbrough for an emotional reunion with the house that played such a large part in their lives.

"All the memories I have of Beningbrough are happy ones," said Alfred, as he was taken round by Ian Hall, who acts as the trust's volunteer butler.

"Lord and Lady Chesterfield were very good to me and allowed me the use of the car and that sort of thing.

"They were very good people to work for."

Mr Hall said: "Alfred has been able to tell us just how the house was in his time, and has given me some invaluable tips about how to do his old job."