A GRANT from the Ledbury and District Society will help to create a heritage trail at Ashperton.

A key area of interest will be the site of Ashperton Castle, which Andrew Tector, a planning and conservation officer for the Society, described as "a hidden secret".

Nothing can be seen of the medieval castle and the moat which surrounded it is in a sad state of disrepair, with some areas silted up, while other areas are badly weeded over.

Until around ten years ago, however, the moat was well-known locally for its carp fishing.

Writing in the Society's latest newsletter, Mr Tector said: "All that now remains of the castle is the tree-covered mound and the moat which, until recently, was used by anglers, However, the moat is now overgrown and its shape is not entirely obvious."

Despite the ravages of time, the area has a fascinating history.

A licence to build the castle was granted by Edward 1 in 1292, and a lady who was probably born at Ashperton Castle was a key player in the founding of the Order of the Garter.

Katherine, Lady Montacute, who was born at Ashperton, is reputed to be the lady who had the unfortunate accident with the slipping garter, and whose blushes were spared by the gallantry of her dancing partner, Edward III, who picked up the garter as courtiers sniggered and said, "Honi soit qui mal y pense".

This became the motto of the Order of the Garter and it means, "Shame on him who thinks evil of it".

However, this moment of medieval gallantry did not take place at Ashperton Castle, but during a court ball at Calais, in 1344.

Mr Tector believes that Ashperton Castle would not have been a grand castle.

He said: "It was likely to have been in the nature of a strong house, rather than like the full-blown castles of Wales."

The amount given in the grant is still to be made public.