Fears for future of Shropshire landmarks

English Heritage has unveiled a 'risk register' detailing buildings, monuments, parks, gardens and conservation areas in peril. The register includes famous local landmarks such as Ludlow and Shrewsbury town walls, Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury and the Snailbeach Lead Mine.

Also listed are Roman villas, forts, crumbling castles, ancient homes, churches, stretches of Offa's Dike – and even medieval fishponds.

Other notable sites at risk locally include Alberbury Castle, Alberbury, which is being consumed by ivy, The Hermitage in Bridgnorth which is slowly eroding, and Hawkstone Windmill at Hawkstone Park.

English Heritage has flagged up 96 separate cases of concern in Shropshire and say they need to be saved to help people understand the area's history.

Tim Johnston, English Heritage's planning and conservation director for the West Midlands, said: "When listed buildings, monuments, or other parts of Shropshire's historic environment are lost, it's as though someone has rubbed out a bit of the past – something that made a street or village special will have gone forever.

"Locally there have been success stories. Richard's Castle near Ludlow, has been rescued and removed from the register.

"However, three sites in Shropshire have made this year's West Midlands top ten priority list.

"These are the Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury, Ludlow town walls and Snailbeach Lead Mine in Worthen with Shelve.

"All of these have been subject to ongoing repairs as have other sites listed. However, the sites that remain on the register can be complex cases to resolve and solutions are often taking a long time to implement."

Also at risk is Pitchford Hall, at Pitchford. Other sites listed on this year's register could be removed by 2013, including Ludlow Town Walls which are undergoing repairs.

To view the full list of buildings at risk visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/risk