A NORTH Yorkshire stately home is beginning its clean-up operation - sprucing up its collection of giant conkers and seeds.

The huge wooden sculptures, at Beningbrough Hall, near York, were crafted during centenary celebrations by former staff from horse chestnut and sycamore trees which had blown down or been felled on the estate.

House steward Rob Turpin said: "Each conker weighs approximately two-and-a-quarter stones. They will be washed, treated for woodworm, polished and re-hung in time for our opening on March 29. They form a great focal and talking point for visitors and we often get asked who made these giant seeds."

Updated: 09:54 Wednesday, February 19, 2003