AN archaeologist and a former Royal Engineer have combined to produce a unique view of a former Lancashire stronghold. 

Dan Elsworth, of Ulverston-based Greenlane Archaeology and Adam Stanford, of Aerial-Cam, presented a talk called Gleaston Castle, New Insights in 3D. 

They were speaking at the Platform, Morecambe, at a conference organised by the Morecambe Bay Partnership. 

Their work to photograph and record the ruins of the castle was funded by a grant arranged by the Morecambe Bay Partnership through the Castle Studies Trust. 

Mr Elsworth said artwork aimed at antiquaries had recorded the ruined buildings in the 18th and early 19th centuries. 

It was shown as a detailed engraving in 1727 by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck and again in 1805 by William Close. 

He said: "The level of knowledge we have of this site is not huge." 

The Harrington family moved to the site from the Aldingham castle motte, or hill, which was at risk of coastal erosion. 

Gleaston Castle was probably built in the 14th century, although the first written reference to it is not until 1550. 

He said: "The site has never been investigated by modern standards." The castle was eventually owned by the Preston family, who acquired the Furness Abbey lands after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

It later went to the Cavendish family and was sold with a farm around 1922. Gleaston Castle has been a ruin since the 16th century. 

He said: "One end of it is being largely held up by ivy." 

Archaeological photographer, Adam Stanford, started Aerial-Cam in 2006 after a career in It and the Royal Engineers. 

He used 1,000 overlapping pictures from a pole-mounted camera and a remotely piloted aircraft to produce a 3D model of the site. 

Not only can you take a virtual tour of the ruins from some amazing angles, it is also possible to trace what looks to be a medieval ridge and furrow field system. 

The result of the work is a conservation statement which will greatly aid any future work on the site - should funding become available. 

You can see the 3D model on the Morecambe Bay Partnership website at http://www.morecambebay.org.uk/news/cutting-edge-technology-reveals-secrets-gleaston-castle