OWNERS of a historic castle are thanking their MP after securing a crucial grant.

Hedingham Castle invited Braintree MP James Cleverly to its estate this week to celebrate English Tourism Week.

Castle owners Demetra and Jason Lindsay were keen to thank Mr Cleverly during the visit for the crucial grants they have received during the Covid-19 pandemic which were funded by the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

The Culture Recovery Fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, using funds provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The castle say the grant has been a lifeline to Hedingham Castle in helping to keep their weddings and events business afloat.

The castle's team has also been very busy making the most of the quieter times and carrying out crucial projects and renovations on the estate and in the 900-year-old Keep.

Demetra Lindsay said:

"It was wonderful to welcome James and Susie to Hedingham to show them what we have been up to and where the grant has been spent to allow us not only to maintain the Keep and Mansion House for the future, but also to keep the jobs of the wedding and events team secure.

" Although we have done a huge amount of work, ironically we hope visitors will not be able to notice as this means that the work is in keeping with the historic building.

"Our sincere thanks goes to the Recovery Fund and also to Historic England who have helped us every step of the way."

On social media, James Cleverly added: "‘Lovely visit to Hedingham Castle to see some of the work done over lockdown.

"This hugely significant historical building is the most complete Norman keep in the UK and has benefited from the Cultural Recovery Fund.

"This will help to ensure that it is still there for future generations to visit and explore."