A FORMER popular tourist attraction has officially been closed off to the public.

Bodelwyddan Castle Trust said said that public access is no longer granted for the woodlands, parklands, play area and trench experience. The trust were hoping to stay open until the end of the year, but 'various obstacles' have resulted in the early decision to close.

Posting on Facebook, the Trust said: “This is due to on-going financial pressures facing the charity that have resulted from the withdrawal of funding support by the local authority.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Another post by the trust read: “Sad day xxx”.

Bodelwyddan Castle has been valued at £1million.

In February, loyal trust members and volunteers vowed to keep the the property open to the public as long as possible after deciding to sell the 99-year lease.

The attraction was left no choice but to close its castle and parklands in July. It last-ever 5k parkrun was also held.

The decision to sell the remaining 99 years of the lease to the highest bidder and close followed the withdrawal of a £144,000 support grant from Denbighshire County Council.

The funding cut, which was applied from April 2018, resulted in the loss of seven of the trust’s 13 staff and the ending of a long loan of 130 paintings from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG).

Dr Kevin Mason, trust secretary and a former director of the castle said: “We have put out the recent online statements [on Facebook]as we wanted to make sure that as many of our former visitors as possible were aware that the castle was now closed, especially over this holiday period.

"Over the years we have built up a very strong following of people who have visited regularly, many of whom are visitors to the area and who would perhaps be unaware of the various closure announcements.

"The reaction on social media perhaps reflects the general sadness and a degree of bewilderment felt by many members of the public at the decision to close a well-loved public facility.

"We obviously share this sadness but are also very grateful for the kind comments and positive suggestions we have received from so many people over the past few weeks and months.

"Trustees have tried to raise sufficient funds to carry on and had hoped to keep the castle and grounds open at least until the end of this year but various obstacles to this course of action have resulted in an early decision to close following legal and financial advice."