CONSERVATIONISTS have gone to rack and ruins in their mission to protect the region’s precious historic artefacts.

More than £140,000 has been invested in a hi-tech electronic shelving system at English Heritage’s Helmsley warehouse.

It is capable of storing more than 430 tonnes of archaeological objects, from medieval carved stone to 19th century wooden water paddles - and even a Victorian organ.

And with its capacity boosted by 60 per cent the warehouse will now be used as a repository for Roman stone work from Hadrian’s Wall, keeping it safe and secure.

It will make it the largest archive of carved stone in Europe - and allow scholars from across the world access to the collection.

English Heritage’s senior curator for the north of England, Kevin Booth, said: "It’s a leap forward in our ability to keep masonry and other items safe and sound while still making them accessible for study. The system makes much better use of the same space."

To celebrate the move, English Heritage is staging free public tours of the warehouse, which is normally off limits to the public.

On view will be some of the 800,000 objects kept under lock and key, from a medieval water tap adorned with a cockerel to canon balls dating to the English Civil War.

Tours take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on May 20, June 24, July 29, September 23 and October 21. They are wheelchair accessible.