The Lichfield office of law firm Keelys has negotiated a new lease for the tenants of the famous Tutbury Castle.

Tutbury – a grade I-listed castle in Staffordshire – is known as the home and prison of Mary Queen of Scots before she was executed in 1567.

It is currently owned by the crown, through the Duchy of Lancaster.

Marc Harvey, of Keelys’ commercial property department, advised the current tenants – curator and television presenter Lesley Smith and Wendy Brown, on terms for the lease.

The terms were successfully negotiated with the Duchy of Lancaster and the lease was completed within a four week period.

Mr Harvey said: “We were delighted to work with the tenants in agreeing the lease terms of this beautiful and historic building.

“Since becoming curator at Tutbury Castle in 2000 Lesley Smith has presided over a very large increase in visitor numbers.

“We wish her and Wendy Brown every success in making Tutbury Castle an even bigger visitor attraction over the coming years.”

Tutbury Castle is an imposing 11th-century ruin renowned for being the place where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned.

It was built shortly after the Norman invasion by Henry de Ferrers, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was destroyed in the 1640s after a siege that was part of the Civil War. The site is now largely ruins.

It now forms part of the Needwood Estate owned by the crown.

The castle is a popular venue for events such as ghost hunts, historical speakers, fairs, lunches, school visits and weddings.

In addition to being the curator at Tutbury Ms Smith is a TV personality whose appearances include being the resident historian on Most Haunted Live and presenter of Most Haunted: Midsummer Murders.

She is also a medical historian and has a particular interest in the history of the lives of women in the late 16th century.

Keelys has one of the best-established regional practices in the West Midlands in its Lichfield office, and also has offices in London and Derby.

Other clients of its commercial property arm include accountants Dains, who opened a sixth regional office. They signed a 10-year lease on a branch in Derby after taking on the firm for advice.

Keelys also arranged a move for fellow accountants Greenhalgh & Co when the firm moved into purpose-built premises at the Eastgate Business Centre in Burton on Trent.