ONE of the region's fastest growing attractions is about to add to its appeal with the planting of a vinery.

Work is about to start on the restoration of the derelict vinery at Helmsley Walled Garden.

The vinery was built in about 1860, but has been untouched for decades. It is being restored with the help of a £500,000 lottery grant announced last year.

Renowned expert Stuart Smith, of the Northern Fruit Group, has donated 34 varieties of Victorian vine to the project.

"Some of them have names that would be familiar to growers today, but many are really rare," said head gardener Paul Radcliffe yesterday.

"This will be one of the best collections in the country, a nationally important collection that will attract enthusiasts from all over the country.

"The plan is that ultimately we will also use the grapes from the vines to make our own wines here."