THE chief executive of Farnham Castle has revealed how the Surrey landmark's former management company was "technically trading insolvently" for three years.

Phil Hackett, who took on the role 18 months ago, said that debts of £400,000 had been run up by the business that ran the training and events side of the operation by the time he took up his post.

While millions - much of it lottery money - was being spent on refurbishing the castle and developing a visitor attraction, the business itself was making less and less every year.

"It had not traded profitably for four-and-a-half years and had got into a bit of a rut," he said.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.