A PUBLIC park has been closed until further notice for safety reasons.

The closure of Castle Garden in Malton comes after a large branch came down from one of the older trees causing damage to fencing and a potential health and safety hazard for visitors to the site.

“Recent strong winds appear to have caused this large branch to fall from the tree damaging the fence,” said Ryedale’s head of environment, Beckie Bennett.

“Work is currently being undertaken to make the area safe and we hope the site can be re-opened in the near future.”

The Castle Garden is a five-acre public park. It is a scheduled ancient monument site with evidence of remains of a Roman fort, Malton Castle and a Jacobean house under the ground.

The park is a natural area with large areas of wildlife habitat, but with a central lawned area surrounded by more formal paths and seating where visitors can relax just minutes from the busy town centre.

Popular with the public it is usually open every day.