THE Church of England has said today that it has no plans to sell Auckland Castle.

Andrew Brown, secretary to the Church Commissioners, has stated that the historic building, in Bishop Auckland, will not be sold but the future of the £15m Zurbaran paintings which are located there remains uncertain.


Video courtesy of Tyne Tees

Mr Brown said the suitability of Auckland Castle as the Bishop of Durham's home was being reviewed but that it would not be sold.

He added: "How it is going to be used I do not know yet but what I do know is that it is not about to be sold. We have no plans to sell it whatsoever."

Read the full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.