Visitors to a North-East castle are being invited to try some medieval-style courting.

The age of romance is being resurrected at 12th Century Walworth Castle, near Darlington, County Durham.

For £145 per person, couples can relive the Middle Ages in a four-poster room, which features such items as a white lace handkerchief for the lady to "mislay".

An optional extra would see the three-star hotel bring in a third party to hold a "consultative court" on matters of the heart.

Guests will also get a drawing of their partner as a keepsake, a collection of love poems with which to flatter their loved ones, tips for "amorous and refined discourse", and flowers and chocolates.

For the more bashful, there will be screens behind which they can undress.

The hotel even provides a cloved lemon to present to a partner, as a sign of respect and admiration.

All this takes place in the King James suite, named after the royal who stayed overnight in the room on April 14, 1603, on his way from Scotland for the coronation.

The idea has already created interest, despite only being launched a week ago by Chris and Rachel Swainson, who bought the castle last year.

It follows a successful Medieval-themed conference facilities initiative.

Rachel, who moved from Sheffield with Chris, said: "I just think it's nice to be romantic, and it's quite a romantic idea.

"It's so nice that you can come here and be romantic in a castle in the North of England."

Anybody wanting to know more about the packages can contact (01325) 485470.