A WORCESTERSHIRE castle has finally been bought after years of uncertainty.

Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust has bought Hartlebury Castle and 43 acres of parkland from the Church Commissioners on March 27 with the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £5million.

The Trust, in association with Worcestershire County Council (WCC) and Museums Worcestershire (MW),  will now be able to preserve the historic castle and its assets as well as embarking on programs for activities and improved access.

The Trust and MW will make the castle, Hurd Library, collections of the museum and castle, and the  gardens into a visitor destination that will benefit the local area and serve as a major attraction for visitors from around the UK and beyond. 

Robert Greenwood, chairman of the Trust, said: "We are delighted that with the help of HLF award  we have now been able to buy the castle after so many years of uncertainty. The generosity of so many organisations, authorities and individuals who have pledged matched funding, revenue support, individual gifts and time now enables us to go ahead with our plans.

"We will spend the remainder of this year completing our plans and hopefully starting some work. Next year major works within the Bishop's House, including restoring the Long Gallery and installing a new lift to serve the Hurd Library and upper floors, will be done. In 2017 the restoration will be complete and the whole Castle will once again function as a single building."

Neil Anderson, head of community and environment for Worcestershire County Council, said: "It has been a pleasure to work with the Trust to secure the long-term future of this fabulous building steeped in the county's history. We look forward to working as a partnership to deliver a first class visitor attraction which will be a wonderful asset to Worcestershire."

Rosemarie Jones, deputy surveyor for the Church Commissioners said: "The Church Commissioners are pleased to have worked successfully with the Trust, and its partners to secure a sale to them in a way that meets our charitable responsibilities. We have worked closely with the Trust and are delighted that they will take over the castle, former home to the Bishop of Worcester, and work on plans to preserve the property for education and as a tourist attraction, open to all.”