A MAN died today after his car crashed into an historic archway at the entrance to a top North Yorkshire stately home.

The emergency services were called to the scene at about 6.36pm after a motorist found the crumpled car, with the body of the man still inside, at the archway at Castle Howard.

Police said the silver Peugeot 306 had crashed into the base of the stone archway, at the entrance of the 18th century stately home near Malton.

The archway itself, located on a minor road between Welburn and Castle Howard, was said to be undamaged.

Sergeant Neil Campbell, of North Yorkshire Police, said the man had been driving towards Slingsby when the crash occurred.

He said the man, who was young and from the local area, was killed instantly. The driver's name was being withheld until police could notify next of kin.

"It's a regular occurrence for people to bump and scrape into the archway," said Sgt Campbell, who added: "It is believed to be the second fatality in three years."

Two fire crews attended the scene and used hydraulic cutting equipment to remove the roof of the car.

The road, called The Stray, leads straight to Castle Howard and narrows to a single lane under the archway.

The car crashed into the right hand side of the ornate archway, which is adorned with a number of parapets.

Road diversions were still in place later in the day.

Witnesses are asked to phone the police witness line on 0845 60 60 24 7.

Castle Howard is known worldwide as a tourist destination and incorporates traditional businesses such as farming and forestry, alongside property, banqueting and tourism.

Used in the famous 1980s television adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, it is set to become the focus of a new BBC television series, as the location for the second series of magazine shows, Castle In The Country.

Pop Idol's Nikki Chapman and former Newsround presenter John Craven will host each episode of the show.

Updated: 09:50 Monday, August 15, 2005