A NEW person charged with safeguarding the region's historic sites and industrial legacy has been appointed.

Carol Pyrah, English Heritage's new North-East director, aims to improve its service and is looking at projects such as regenerating coalfield communities and seaside towns and surveying scheduled monuments at risk.

Miss Pyrah said: "I passionately believe that our historic environment in the North East is an under-used and under-valued asset.

"Heritage is not just something we can visit at the weekend, it is all around us every day in our streets, our homes and even our favourite pubs.

"Heritage is what makes the North-East distinctive, from the superb castles and coastline of Northumberland, to the unique Tyneside flats and the industrial heritage of Tees Valley.

"I want to ensure that the historic environment is valued for the part it plays in economic and social regeneration, and in helping to improve our quality of life."

One of her first initiatives will be the launch of the Save Our Streets campaign in the new year.

The campaign is a partnership with Women's Institutes to revamp the region's streets and rural roads, taking out excess signs, poles and bollards.