IT'S not the sort of car normally associated with one of the most spectacular stately homes in the land - but it is still proving to be a real head-turner.

A Morris Minor van dating from 1969 is the latest acquisition of Castle Howard, near Malton, North Yorkshire.

With the growing retail and catering operations at the estate, there was a need to buy a vehicle to move staff and supplies between sites.

But rather than buy a nondescript modern van, Simon Howard and his team felt a classic English van would be more appropriate to the historic setting.

So they tuned to the auction website eBay and, after a bit of frantic bidding, secured the van -affectionately known to devotees as a Moggy -for £2,400.

After a tune-up and a lick of paint, it is becoming a favourite, with visitors posing alongside for photographs.