A STUNNING new door to a 900-year-old castle keep has divided opinion and sparked a heated debate.

Hedingham Castle unveiled the new door on social media.

Bosses say they are “over the moon” after replacing the historic door to the keep with a new one made of sustainable oak.

They say the old door was fitted in the 1920s after the “Great Fire” of 1918.

It is believed to have belonged to a pub in the village but was damaged “beyond repair” in an attempted break-in last summer.

The oak for the new door was donated by nearby Rushley Green Farm. The project was funded by a grant from the Historic House Foundation.

The castle’s facebook page says: “The new door perfectly fits and complements the decorative Norman archway and we are so pleased to have it ready for all our Hedingham newlyweds this summer. It will be the first door they walk through as a married couple.”

But the change has split opinion and sparked controversy online. Fans love the new door but critics say the old one oozed character.

Phil Castle said: “New door looks amazing – and does befit the gorgeous Romanesque frame. It will age and look even more fantastic.

“History never stops. The new door will become part of the castles history. Great job.”

Claire Louise said: “The new one is beautiful and will only look better with age. The old one has done its 100 years – time to be replaced.”

Ferg Ranson said: “Excellent. Much nicer than that old one that didn’t fit!”

Robbie Hutchin said: “So much better. The old one clearly isn’t right. The panel above is horrible. The new one is much more in keeping of how the original would have been.”

And Beverly Handscombe said: “Looks fabulous! Hope it still has an amazing chunky key. Used to feel pretty special opening up with that.”

Others have mixed feelings.

Trish Kelly said: “It’s lovely, but could have done with a bit of ironwork on it, I think.”

Kate Plumb said: “It’s very lovely but it doesn’t seem right replacing a piece of history.”

Janet Hattie Harris said: “It is a very nice door. Very posh. But the old one has history.”

And some have been more critical. Susan Mack said: “I’m glad my wedding photos were taken standing in front of the old door, a door I have always thought was beautiful.

“I appreciate the craftsmanship of the new door but I think it is to modern looking for the building. It might have looked better with some iron work added, similar to the old door.”

Chris Woodman said: “The old one has character – much prefer the feel you get when you see old decor still present in an old building.

“New on old doesn’t work so well I’m afraid.”

Lorraine Holmes said: “Don’t like it at all, that beautiful old door replaced with that ridiculous one that looks like it comes from B&Q. How sad!”

Anthony Webster said: “For a building of that style and age, that squeaky clean piece of modernness simply looks ridiculously out of place.”