UP to 15 jobs could be lost at Lulworth Castle after it was announced that the estate is to close several attractions and scrap several events.

Popular events like mediaeval jousting and the egg hunt will go amid financial pressures at the estate at East Lulworth.

Yesterday the Weld family, who own Lulworth Castle and estate, announced that the café, shop and animal farm would close on December 31.

Approximately 15 jobs will face the axe but the family said that they did not know the exact figure yet and would try and retain as many staff as possible to work on different parts of the estate.

The family said that the jobs losses were due to falling visitor numbers and unfavourable ‘economic prospects’ that would ‘make it impossible to justify further investment’ in the estate.

Speaking about the decision James Weld said: “The family are very disappointed to have to take the decision to reduce our activities at Lulworth Castle and the direct effect that this will have on those people who are being made redundant at a difficult time.”

He added: “We have continued to support this part of our business for the last 12 years but the economic prospects over the next few years, make it impossible to justify further investment.

“Everyone involved in Lulworth Castle and Park has worked extremely hard but it has become increasingly clear that we are not going to achieve the visitor numbers necessary to continue the business in its current form.”

One Lulworth resident, who did not want to be named, expressed shock at the news.

She said: “It’s come as a bit of a surprise and it’s quite shocking really. Several people around here work on the estate and have ties to it.”

The animal farm area is home to a variety of animals including rare Portland sheep, peacocks, alpacas, goats, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens. These will all now be re-homed.

Outside events, including weddings and the award-winning family festival Camp Bestival, will go ahead and the castle and grounds will be available for hire for corporate parties and events.

The castle will also be open for members of the public to look around but popular events including the jousting, historic combat festival and pirate-themed events will go from January 1, 2011.

Lulworth Castle’s Christmas events will still run from December 19 to December 31 and there will be a host of traditionally themed attractions including stories by the fireside, magic shows, games and quizzes. There will also be a chance to see how traditional mince pies were made in the castle kitchens.