Contractor electrocuted at castle

The castle grounds are often used for trade fairs and events

Two men have been arrested after a workman was electrocuted while taking down a marquee at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.

The Polish contractor, believed to be in his 40s, was dismantling a tent used for an event at the weekend when a pole touched an overhead power cable.

The men, aged 51 and 29 and from Kent, were held on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.

They were released on bail until July pending further inquiries.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the accident on Monday, but the man later died at Cheltenham General Hospital.

A large area of the field around the marquee was cordoned off.

The management and staff at Sudeley are deeply saddened by this tragic incident Sudeley Castle spokesman

Police and health and safety inspectors have begun an investigation into the accident, and the Gloucestershire coroner has been informed.

A spokesman for Sudeley Castle said the owners had nothing to do with the incident, other than providing a site on their land for the marquee.

"The management and staff at Sudeley are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and our condolences go out to friends and family, he said.

"A marquee company was dismantling a marquee in the grounds, following the weekend's event when the incident occurred.

"This outside event did not involve the Sudeley team in any way."

The marquee company declined to comment.

The castle is owned by Henry Dent-Brocklehurst and his mother Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe.

Earlier this year, it played host to the wedding celebrations of actress and model Liz Hurley and Indian businessman Arun Nayar.