IT is usually locked up during the winter months, but a castle opened its doors for four visitors yesterday.

The 12th Century history of Knaresborough Castle, North Yorkshire, is the focal point for the play, Four Nights in Knaresborough, which is to be staged by the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Following the cold-blooded murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket, the four knights responsible fled to Knaresborough in fear of their lives and remained hidden in the castle for more than a year.

Yesterday's visit gave the actors who play them the opportunity to imagine what it must have been like in 1170, held within the confines of the castle and forced to endure the most basic levels of existence.

The production's fight director, John Waller, of the Royal Armouries in Leeds, was also there to stage a fight of the sort that would have taken place in 1170.

The actors playing the knights - Terence Beesley, Steven Duffy, Daniel Flynn and Dominic Mafham - were also given a tour of the ruins.

The play, directed by Gemma Bodinetz, runs from February 7 to March 8.