Campaigners want to lease the site and keep it open to the public

The Elvaston Castle Estates Trust wants to lease the site from Derbyshire County Council.

Campaigners will present a petition of 33,000 thousand signatures to the Prime Minister on Friday.

The county council, which owns the site, says leasing the castle to a private developer is one possibility they are considering.

Campaigner Sally Shenton said she hope Prime Minister Tony Blair will listen: "He is a family man and has children so he knows how important these facilities are to people with children and the elderly.

"The council won't listen so let's hope he can help us."

Council officers say bidding for the historic house and grounds closed more than a year ago and they are considering several offers.

In July a �10m donation was made to the trust by an anonymous benefactor.