AN exhibition on the restoration of Caldicot Castle and its time as a family home has been unveiled this week.

New, permanent display boards detail the castle's transformation from a ruin by its Victorian inhabitant Joseph Cobb and include photographs from some of its tenants.

The display, in the keep of the castle, came about as a result of a project by staff and volunteers who wanted to learn more about the Victorian and 20th century period of the castle's history.

It also follows a hugely successful reunion last June which brought together many of the castles former tenants.

Sarah Finch, castle development officer said: 'It was wonderful to meet so many people at the reunion who used to call the castle home and to listen to their memories of living here.

'The memories brought the castle alive and it seems that everyone remembered their time at the castle.'

The castle's Victorian restorer Joseph Cobb transformed it from a ruin to a comfortable family home and Cobb's descendants continued to live in the castle until the 1960s.

After the Second World War the family rented the towers out as low cost flats for local people.

In June this year, the castle hosted a reunion for the Cobbs and their tenants and over eighty people attended, most of whom had lived in the castle during the 1950s and 60s.

The event was a huge success and many of those who attended brought with them photographs and documents relating to their time at the castle, which they have loaned or donated to the castle.

A selection of these photographs, most of which have never been made public before, have been included.

Volunteer Virginia Hoselitz, who prepared the display and helped staff trace the castle's history, said: 'Cobb was a fascinating man. I've enjoyed being able to share what I'm finding out in the form of this display.'

Caldicot Castle is open daily from March to October from 11am to 5pm.