A DECISION on whether to grant Caldicot Castle trust status has yet to be made by Monmouthshire council.

The council in March posed the idea of running the castle and country park as a charitable trust but have yet to come to a decision on the long term management for the site which cost £250,080 to run in 2013/14.

The castle currently employs four full time staff members and one additional full time employee on a seasonal basis in the café or retail area.

Caldicot Town Council in July agreed that they were not in a financial position to take on the running of the castle but supported the idea of a local trust.

County councillor Tony Easson, member for Dewstow, said: "At the moment it is not exploiting the tourism trade which comes here. It 's good to see more events happening but it's not as many as it used to be - there used to be back to back Christmas banquets at this time of year."

Ross Howen, 41, of Clos Aled, has set up the Caldicot Castle Forum page on Facebook which has 200 members.

He said: "We are really pushing for a trust. I worked at the castle years ago and know the potential it has - it's criminal seeing it like it is.

"It needs money to restore it which the trust can apply for. There has been more happening since the new manager took over.”

He added: "We really need to get support going. A community trust would keep it local and bring people together with different skills such as local historians which would benefit the place."

The council carried out a £22,000 refurbishment on the café area earlier this year and upgraded the existing bar and retail space. Cadw also gave a grant to help with the refurbishment of the south west tower.

Bob Greenland, deputy leader and cabinet member leisure, said: "We are currently examining ways in which we can ensure all our cultural services and attractions, including Caldicot Castle, continue to thrive. As part of this process, we are identifying future viable options and opportunities for running such assets, to ensure they remain accessible to local people.”

The castle is open six days a week and is closed on Mondays apart from Bank Holidays. Open hours are from 11am to 4pm and 11am to 5pm during school holidays.