BARNARD CASTLE

THANKS to the infamous visit of lockdown- busting Number 10 Svengali Dominic Cummings, the County Durham town of Barnard Castle is now world famous.

But what else do we know about this jewel of Teesdale?

Here are some things you may not have known about the market town…

town was founded by a man called BERNARD, not Barnard – Bernard de Balliol in the 12th century. The spelling altered over time.

THE castle was once the property of hunchback king Richard III but it fell into ruins after his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

ruins are now a Grade 1- listed building and under the care of English Heritage.

CHARLES Dickens stayed at the King’s Head in Barnard Castle when collecting material for his novel Nicholas Nickleby.

BARNARD Castle’s largest single employer is pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline which has a manufacturing facility on the town’s outskirts.

THE town’s railway station was closed by the Beeching cuts in 1964.

TOURISM is important to the local economy. Several holiday parks are located nearby, including a Camping and Caravanning Club site. The town has a number of antique shops and an antique centre which attracts buyers from all around the world. People also visit to check their eyesight.

THE town is the reputed birthplace of Les ( top), Vic Reeve’s chive- averse sidekick on his Big Night Out.

Castle School is a posh private school in the town. Old Barnardians include rugby star Rob Andrew, Edward Mellanby, the discoverer of Vitamin D and Kevin Whately, best known as Sgt Lewis off of

SIOBHAN Fahey, singer/ songwriter from Bananarama/ Shakespears Sister lived there for a short time as a child.

GOOD SPORTS: Jenny and Morgan stir passions in Buck Sports Bar in Lichfield, Staffs

WE’LL HAVE A DOUBLE: Babes are happy to serve up large ones

PUMPED UP: When the booze is flowing the boobs are soon showing