ARMY divers will try to solve a 50-year mystery at a County Durham country park this week.

Members of 38 Engineer Regiment, at Ripon, are to help Durham County Council trace a statue of Neptune in the Serpentine Lake at Hardwick Hall Country Park, Sedgefield.

The statue used to grace a plinth in the lake, but disappeared about 50 years ago. The aim of the search, which begins today, is to establish whether it is in the water or somewhere else.

County Councillor Ken Manton said: "Photographs show the statue on a plinth in the lake, but its whereabouts now are something of a mystery. We are contemplating major restoration work at the park to enhance its reputation both regionally and nationally.

"As part of that restoration, and with the help of the Friends of Hardwick, we would like to see if Neptune can be found and restored.

"If the Army can help us find it then we will take expert archaeological advice about how best to proceed with raising and restoring it."

Coun Manton added: "Theories abound about its demise, including being transferred to some other country estate, theft and vandalism, but some local people say they can remember it leaning heavily towards the water before it vanished."

The divers will be at the hall today, but that will involve mostly preparatory work. Diving is not expected to start until tomorrow at the earliest.