IT is our fervent view at The Northern Echo that concluding a deal to save the historic Zurbaran paintings in Auckland Castle is crucial to the future prosperity of Bishop Auckland.

How else will the County Durham town find a way to have its own heritage tourist attraction – for that is what the castle and its grounds could be, with the Zurbarans as the centrepiece?

Without Jonathan Ruffer’s offer to invest £15m to make that a reality, the Zurbarans will almost certainly go abroad and the castle lost as a public asset.

Mr Ruffer has today told The Northern Echo that he is willing to “put a lot more money in” to break the deadlock that has developed between himself and the Church Commissioners who are selling the paintings.

It seems to us that Mr Ruffer has been more than generous in trying to save this important North-East heritage.

And while we understand the Church Commissioners striving for the best deal possible, it is time to come to an agreement in which all parties win.

County Durham would keep its heritage, Bishop Auckland would be able to create something special as a visitor attraction, and the Church would not only have raised a lot of money but also avoided what could easily turn into a public relations disaster.

Philanthropists like Jonathan Ruffer are few and far between. He has shown he is willing to move forward – it is now the turn of the Church Commissioners.