CONSTRUCTION students from across County Durham are travelling back in time to learn more about their future trade at a 900-year-old castle.

The special series of educational tours taking place this week offer a detailed insight into the multi-million-pound conservation project at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland.

More than 70 school and college students will be led around the castle by experts from Meldrum Construction Services Ltd.

The Gateshead-based company is currently returning the former home of the Prince Bishops to its Georgian Gothic glory, on behalf of The Auckland Project.

The groups will tour the former palace of the Prince Bishops, observing the work taking place and learning about the specialist processes, techniques and challenges of working with an historic building.

Meldrum specialises in Grade I and Grade II listed buildings and has previously worked on St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle and the Sunderland Empire Theatre.

David Meldrum, managing director of the construction company said: “The chance to witness first-hand the construction work we are undertaking at Auckland Castle is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“At Meldrum we believe passionately about offering learning opportunities for people wherever possible and have worked closely with The Auckland Project to deliver these tours. They certainly don’t get much more unique or exciting than a 900-year-old castle.”

During the tour the students will observe a stonemason at work and visit the site of the future Faith Museum where a concrete frame is under construction.

They will also step inside the castle to look into the Medieval kitchen and see the work under way there.

Andie Harris, heritage skills co-ordinator at The Auckland Project said: “This is a unique opportunity for people who are keen to work in this sector to see the conservation of an ancient castle in their local area.

“We’re thrilled to have worked with so many local schools and colleges to enable their students to learn more about a future in the conservation and construction industry.”

The students, from Bishop Auckland College, and New College Durham are all working towards or considering a future career in the construction industry.

The first group through the Castle gates were 12 students of Level Three Civil Engineering and Construction at New College Durham.

They were joined in the trip by their course tutor, Richard Byers.

He said: “This is a great opportunity for students to gain inside knowledge about the industry and will also help them to understand the career opportunities in the Construction and Civil Engineering sector.

“It is important that students can experience the various job roles within such a prestigious project and we’re extremely grateful to The Auckland Project and Meldrum for making this possible.”

The conservation project at Auckland Castle is set to complete this year, with the official re-opening of the historic palace taking place on December 1.

The four-year project has been supported thanks to National Lottery players by a grant of £11.4 million from the Heritage Lottery fund (HLF). The project has been managed by Darlington-founded construction management consultancy Turner & Townsend and internationally acclaimed architects, Purcell.

Auckland Castle will form the centrepiece of a world-class visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, which will also feature a Spanish Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden and welcome centre.

Key to The Auckland Project’s long-term aims is a mission to revitalise the future of the town through employment, training and education and 8,000 opportunities for training and skills development will be created in the next three years, along with 60 apprenticeships.

Public behind the scenes tours will re-launch on tomorrow (Saturday). For more information visit aucklandcastle.org