THE NATIONAL Trust taking on Wentworth Castle Gardens is ‘one of the options’ being considered for the historic parkland.

The Grade I listed gardens at Stainborough closed to the public at Easter due to a funding crisis, with the trust responsible for managing the historic parkland no longer able to meet its running costs.

Options are now being explored to reopen the failed tourist attraction and senior councillors met in private on Wednesday in a bid to press ahead and secure a future for the gardens.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said involvement of the National Trust is ‘one of the options’ being looked at - among others. He added: “We are trying to find a solution but we are not there yet and there is a long way to go.”

Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle