AFTER 15 years at the helm, the Throckmorton family have handed over the day-to-day running of their stately home to the National Trust.

The family's decision concerning historic Coughton Court is due to ill health and commitments elsewhere.

The Throckmortons will still live at the house and will continue to care for the gardens with the help of their gardening team.

Clare McLaren-Throckmorton said: "I am really sad to be giving up the management of the house but know it will be in good hands with the National Trust's West Midlands team and I am of course delighted the family will continue to maintain and develop the gardens."

Three members of the existing staff have taken voluntary redundancy following the announcement and a National Trust spokesman told the Chronicle there had been full consultation with workers about the handover.

National Trust communications officer Kathryn Cecil said: "As a matter of course, the National Trust recruits seasonal staff to work at its properties and many of the posts available at Coughton Court are seasonal.

"The trust hopes people who have previously worked at Coughton Court will be among the applicants for these job opportunities."

She added: "The house has 75,000 visitors a year so we want to maintain this and continue the work the family have invested such a huge amount of time, energy and care into."

The National Trust is currently recruiting a team of people to help run the property and will be holding an open day tomorrow from 3-7pm.

To find out more and to discuss any of the posts advertised, call 01789 400777 or visit www.ntjobs.org.uk

Coughton Court was one of England's great Catholic houses and has strong links with the Gunpowder Plot.

The Throckmortons have had an unbroken connection with the property stretching back to the 15th century.

The home was donated to the National Trust in 1946, with the family taking over its management in 1991.

Coughton Court reopens to the public on April 1.