OVER the last year, 13 special places in the North East have been removed from Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

The annual Register is the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

In Northumberland, a section of Hadrian's Wall at Steel Rigg has been removed from the register this year.

Other sites saved include sections of the Wall at Port Carlisle in Cumbria, Guisborough Conservation Area, and Holy Trinity Church in Northumberland.

Historic England said many places have been saved thanks to heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers, community groups, charities, owners and councils.

Historic England has awarded more than £600,000 in grants over the past year to sites at risk in the region.

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Meanwhile, eight sides have been added to the register because of concerns about their condition.

They are at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development, Historic England said.

Trevor Mitchell, Historic England’s Regional Director for the North East and Yorkshire, said: "The 13 sites saved this year in the North East show what’s possible with funding support, committed partnerships and dedicated volunteers. 

"Historic England’s Heritage at Risk programme is working with local people, councils, businesses and volunteer groups to rescue precious historic places so they can bring joy and economic benefits to their communities, now and for generations to come.

"The restoration of iconic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall show what can be achieved with imagination and commitment.

"As the threat of climate change grows, the reuse and sensitive upgrading of historic buildings and places becomes ever more important. Finding new uses for buildings and sites rescued from the Register avoids the high carbon emissions associated with demolishing structures and building new."

At Steel Rigg, owned by the National Trust, in Northumberland, collapsed sections of the Wall were repaired by specialist stonemasons, and the top of the Wall was covered with stones and turf to discourage people from walking on it and protect it from further damage. 

This was achieved through collaboration between Historic England and the Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project (WallCAP) at Newcastle University, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "It is so heartening to see so many significant heritage sites removed from the Heritage at Risk Register, and given a new lease of life as part of their local communities and places.

"Conserving and saving heritage at risk for the next generation to enjoy, is core to our purpose, and we’re incredibly proud that the Heritage Fund has been able to support the work to make this fantastic news possible."

Across England, 233 entries have been removed from the Register, while 175 entries have been added because of concerns about their condition.