HARTLEBURY Castle faces the threat of a sell-off unless £2.5 million is found within months to secure its future as a public heritage site.

Hartlebury Castle Preserv-ation Trust wants to save the home of Worcestershire County Museum in Hartlebury, near Kidderminster, from being snapped up by a private buyer, which could put its future as a historic attraction in jeopardy.

Trustee Mary Arden said: “We are trying to keep it as heritage for the whole country because people come from all over to see it.

“It’s so important to Worcestershire’s heritage for future generations. We must do something. To lose it would be tragic.”

The 12th century manor – the residence of the bishops of Worcester for 800 years until 2007 – is currently owned by the Church Commissioners, but will go up for sale next April.

In about 1782 Bishop Richard Hurd built the Hurd Library, which is today supported by the trust’s volunteers.

It contains 100 books given to the bishop by King George III, some of which are signed, and there are also original, annotated volumes which belonged to Alexander Pope.

Mrs Arden said: “The Hurd Library is the only bishop’s library still on the shelves in the room for which it was built.

“The castle is home to the fascinating history of the bishops who lived here.

“One refused to crown Queen Elizabeth I, one was present at the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, and one stood by Charles I at the battle of Edge Hill. That’s the history that might be thrown away.”

The castle currently operates a museum and tea room, arts and crafts events, workshops, historical re-enactments and educational facilities for schools.

Trustee Amanda Price said the group envisaged developing the site with a five-strand business plan to include an enterprise centre for small business start-ups, facilities for education, a venue for visitors and events and a training centre.

They also plan to enrich the role of the museum and bring the gardens back to life.

The trust will make a bid for most of the money to the Heritage Lottery Fund and has begun a programme of fund-raising events for the year, which will kick off on Saturday, June 25, with a music-in-the-garden concert at the castle.

The trust has already raised £20,000 through fund-raising events and small grants and is awaiting confirmation of a six-figure pledge, but this money will be spent as part of the grant process.

For more information and forthcoming events, visit hartleburycastletrust.org.