INQUISITIVE youngsters will be getting revved up when they explore an improved play area.

A new, full-sized Land Rover Defender has pulled up in the children's playground at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, to celebrate the motoring manufacturer clocking up more than 50 years of vehicle testing on the estate.

The Land Rover has been fully child proofed and has been parked alongside an existing tractor and motorbike but because it doesn't have an engine it won't be driving off.

The castle's general manager, David Littlewood, said: “We are very proud of the Land Rover and are hoping it will prove to be extremely popular.

"It’s probably the first time a brand new Land Rover has been used in a playground and I am sure it will survive all the inquisitive children playing with it.

"We are grateful to Land Rover for the enormously generous gift and hope they will be on the estate for the next 50 years.”

A new zip wire will also be installed in the playground as part of the upgrade and will be ready to welcome the first visitors of the season on Good Friday for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Eastnor Castle will open for Easter from 11am to 5pm on Friday to Monday, April 18-21, with entry charged at £10 for adults, seniors £9, children £6.50 and family tickets £26.50.

For more information, go to eastnorcastle.com or call 01531 633160.