WOODEN railings around a village's greens may have to be re-painted by volunteers in order to save money, a parish council has said.

For years the railings have been an attractive feature of Hovingham, North Yorkshire, the home of The Duchess of Kent.

However, parish chairman Ken Harrison said the cost of maintaining them had become a burden to the council.

But in a bid to maintain the railings the council is asking for teams of volunteers to help with the work.

Mr Harrison said the railings were owned by North Yorkshire County Council, the parish council and the Duchess's family's Hovingham Estate.

Each year the parish council pays for the cemetery to be kept tidy, and for the railings to be kept in good condition.

Generations ago, the greens were kept short by grazing cows, but when the parish council introduced sheep into the cemetery there was opposition to using them on the greens.

Part of the green in front of Hovingham Hall was fenced to protect them from motorists who had travelled to see the village after the wedding of The Duchess of Kent, sister of Sir Marcus Worsley, in 1962, said Mr Harrison.

He said: "The greens and the wooden railings are a major expense for the parish but they are an attractive asset around the village and keep the greens free from parking vehicles. Hovingham wouldn't be the same without them but we do want them looking smart with a coat of paint."