TRUSTEES of historic Haldon Belvedere say the centuries old castle is in safe hands.

The iconic Haldon landmark, built in 1788, which is owned by a trust, had been leased by Devon Historic Buildings Trust.

Concerns had been raised that the future of the castle, which had been used as a wedding venue, could be in doubt.

But DHBT has confirmed although its lease of the building is coming to an end, Lawrence Castle, as it is also known, will continue to be under the ownership and management of the charity the Stringer Lawrence Memorial Trust.

The building has been run as a small wedding venue for up to 30 ceremonies a year between April and October.

The wedding operation is no longer ‘cost effective’ for the small charity to run as it provided a location for ceremonies only in the picturesque setting.

Owners denied suggestions it was to be converted into flats and confirmed all wedding bookings for October are still going ahead as planned until the usual wedding season ends this month.

No bookings have been cancelled.

Devon Historic Buildings Trust has stressed the building, which is worth millions of pounds, is not closing.

And it says every penny made is put back into maintaining the building which is kept in top condition.

When the trust’s lease expires, it remains in the ownership of the charity the Stringer Lawrence Trust which took over in 1994 and then leased it to Devon Historic Buildings Trust.

Since publicity over the future status of the castle as a wedding venue has come to light, there have been several offers to buy the property.

But it is not for sale and the wedding facilities were only ever a small part of the way the location has been run.

Haldon Belvedere was one of the first locations to gain a wedding licence in Devon in 1996.