STAFF at a popular North Yorkshire open garden are planning to bring down the house as part of a £728,000 scheme to redevelop the attraction.

Helmsley Walled Garden was awarded £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery fund to demolish buildings and knock down walls ready for rebuilding schemes.

Staff plan to transform a series of tumble-down sheds to create more space for staff and accommodation for volunteers.

Head gardener Paul Radcliffe said one of the projects was to revamp a neglected "bothy", or small building, at the garden.

"The roof has holes in it, there are no proper floors or doors - it will have to be knocked down and rebuilt," he said.

"It was where the gardeners would shelter and have their cups of tea, but our plan is to put it back with a modern slant."

Paul said they planned to rebuild greenhouses and also give staff somewhere to have a break while they were at work. Between £80,000 to £90,000 has to be raised before the summer, said Paul, and they plan to hold events including a gala dinner and a charity auction. The work, to last for 18 months, is set to start in the summer.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, January 21, 2003