The new 'caretakers' of a Cumbrian castle have spoken of their honour at taking on the task.

Georgia and Owen May, both 22, are in the process of moving into the Chauffeur's Cottage, in the grounds of Rose Castle, near Dalston, after it was bought for the Rose Castle Foundation.

The young couple will be the first port of call for visitors to the former Bishop of Carlisle's residence, as Owen is project manager for Rose Castle Foundation.

The foundation last week saw its dream take the first steps towards becoming a reality, after a benefactor bought the castle for its use as an international centre of peace and reconciliation.

It was set up as a charity more than two years ago, hosting conferences and conflict resolution work, but its long-term goal was always to be based out of the building from which it takes its name.

Owen, a theologian who has just graduated from Durham University, said: "I'm going to be hosting a few fundraising events here at Rose Castle and elsewhere and sourcing alternative lines of income for Rose Castle.

"I have some experience of reconciliation work and I am excited to be involved in this project."

His wife Georgia has another year left at university, but is looking forward to spending her weekends and holidays at the castle.

"Part of us being on site will just be to welcome people," she said. "I am committed to Durham two days a week, but collectively Owen and I are the face of Rose Castle.

"We want to give it more of a family feel.

"It's so exciting because for us everything has changed. We knew this [reconciliation and conflict resolution work] was something we wanted to devote our lives to long-term, but to have graduated and be able to immediately take it on is something we couldn't imagine."

Owen added: "For us it is a tremendous privilege to be able to jump on board this at such an early stage, and we are very excited about what the future holds."

Eventually the foundation's events will be held with participants staying in the castle, but until it is refurbished they will instead attend for day sessions and then stay in local accommodation.

For more information, visit the Rose Castle website .