FROM historic factories to ancient long-barrows to the centre of Blandford Forum, more than 250 sites, listed buildings and conservation areas in Dorset are at risk says conservation watchdog, English Heritage.

Its 2012 Heritage At Risk report mentions a number of significant Dorset sites which are in danger of decline and deterioration, ranging from the Iron Age, through to military buildings from the Second World War.

The vast majority are bowl and long barrows, such as the site near the Double Dykes on Hengistbury Head, but they also include structures such as Sturminster Newton Castle, described as ‘very bad’ and the conservation area of Blandford Forum which is also described as ‘very bad’.

English Heritage notes that the Grade I listed church of St Peter and St Paul in Blandford Forum is in a poor condition with water damage and a temporary structure holing up the cupola.

It also lists the grotto at St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, the Roman villa at Little Barton Hill, Tarrant Hinton, the North Lodges at Lulworth Castle and the Alum works at Kimmeridge.

English Heritage is also concerned for more modern sites, such as the Light Anti-Aircraft battery at Sandford.