Auckland Castle: Opening hours extended

The works by Zurbaran have been at Auckland Castle for 250 years

Opening hours at a County Durham castle have been extended.

Auckland Castle was redeveloped as a heritage attraction by a charitable trust after it was saved from sale by businessman Jonathan Ruffer.

Since it opened for two days a week on 1 April, there have been almost 1,500 visitors and private guests - more than the total for the whole of 2012.

Organisers said they hoped the longer opening would lead to a further surge.

Mr Ruffer stepped in with a £15m donation last year, after Church Commissioners tried to sell the castle - the former home of the Bishop of Durham.

It was then handed over to the newly-formed Auckland Castle Trust.

'Fantastic new features'

Paintings by Spanish artist Francisco Zurbaran, which hung in the castle for 250 years, were also included in the deal.

Rowena Hackwood, chief executive of the trust, said that the team was "delighted with the success of the soft launch".

She added: "We are now open to the public six days a week, something which has never been done before.

"However, we're confident in the castle's offering and are ready to showcase some fantastic new features than will further enhance the visitor experience."