AFTER five weeks, filming of Hollywood blockbuster-to-be Brideshead Revisited has wrapped up at a North Yorkshire stately home.

That means once again Castle Howard and its gardens will be fully open to the public.

Stars of stage and screen have visited Castle Howard, near Malton, during the shoot by Ecosse Films.

The cast was led by Matthew Goode, as Charles Ryder, Ben Whishaw as Sebastian Flyte, Hayley Atwell, as Julia Flyte, with Michael Gambon and Emma Thompson as Lord and Lady Marchmain.

Dozens of local extras, auditioned in York and Malton, were used in ballroom scenes and as soldiers, and even hounds from the Middleton Hunt starred in the hunt scenes.

Simon Howard, of Castle Howard, said: "We've had great fun hosting the filming, and seeing Castle Howard revisit its role as Brideshead. The crew have been fantastic to work with, and apart from a very busy schedule we've enjoyed having them here.

"I've seen some of the rough edits of the filming at Castle Howard, and it looks excellent. I can't wait to see the finished film at the cinema."

The film is an adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic novel Brideshead Revisited, which was made into a popular TV series in the 1980s, also shot at the stately home.

During filming, producer Kevin Loader, said: "It's pretty amazing to be here. Simon and the Howard family have been extremely welcoming. It's a bit like being given the keys to the castle, we're allowed to go in and lift up those red ropes and act as if we own the place, briefly.

"This is one of the most beautiful houses in England. There was a connection between the house and the story already.

"We looked at other houses, but none of them suited Brideshead as well as this one."

Ecosse Films will now move to Oxford for more filming for Brideshead Revisited, with further locations in London, Venice and Morocco. The film will eventually be released in the UK by Buena Vista International.

Brideshead Revisited is being part-funded by Screen Yorkshire, the regional screen agency.

The agency is responsible for inspiring, promoting and supporting a successful and sustainable film, broadcast and interactive media sector for the region. In May, 2006, Screen Yorkshire was awarded £10.2m by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.