CAMPAIGNERS trying to repair an historic County Durham landmark are hoping a deadlock on talks may have been broken.

A debate about who was responsible for Barnard Castle's crumbling castle walls was sparked in 2009 following a landslip.

None of the three parties involved, Raby Estates, Durham County Council and English Heritage, have ever come to an agreement over the £100,000 urgent repairs needed on the 12th century landmark and it is now listed as “at risk”.

And following this winter’s bad weather, the walls have started to crumble and members of the Castle Walls Trust, along with Bishop Auckland MP, Helen Goodman, called for Raby Estates to fix them.

Now The Northern Echo understands Lord Barnard has sent a letter to the Trust to give the go-ahead for The North of England Civic Trust to oversee the repairs while acting as a third party.

However, Trust member, Caroline Hardie-Hammond said that Lord Barnard had only agreed “in principle” and progress was slow as no actual meeting had been held yet.

“We are still waiting to hear although he has agreed to meet us,” she said.

“We need to adjust people’s expectations.”

Mrs Hardie-Hammond added: “Although the Civic Trust has agreed in principle, we need to have more detailed discussions – we are moving forward it’s just a bit glacial at the moment.”

Raby Estates did not reply by the time The Northern Echo went to print.