CONSERVATION teams are preparing to fix a problem at a North Yorkshire tourist attraction which has been developing for 300 years.

The south bridge at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, near York, is in danger of collapsing and is to be dismantled brick by brick before being gradually rebuilt.

Old salvaged bricks, as well as matching ones from the York Handmade Brick Company, will be used for the scheme, and Holly Brett, the hall’s general manager, said: “The bridge and the adjoining steps would once have been used by the ladies of the house as a rather grand entrance out into the gardens.

“Today, however, you can see where the age of the property is working against it.

The hall was built in the early 18th-century, when Yorkshire was a great regional centre for craftsmanship, and this is no different now.

Behind the fencing, we have specialist craftspeople, including masons and bricklayers, working to repair the damage.”

The repairs will be carried out over the next 12 weeks and will include conservation work on the limestone door case, the arch's brickwork and the railings to the steps.

The project is being supported by the Wolfson Foundation and regular updates will be posted at beningbrough.blogspot.com , while more information is also available by phoning 01904 472027 or at nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough .