A SIX-year study into England's sites of special scientific interest has revealed that much work needs to be done.

The survey by English Nature, England's best wildlife and geological sites - the condition of SSSIs in England in 2003, found that while 44pc of SSSIs in the Yorkshire and Humber region were in good condition, 56pc needed improving. In the North-East, 38pc of sites were good but 62pc required improvements.

The Government is commited to ensuring 95pc are in good condition by 2010 and the survey will help identify the problem areas.

SSSIs represent the country's very best wildlife and geological sites and often stand as the last remaining areas of natural habitat in today's countryside.

In Yorkshire and Humberside they range from the internationally-important limestone pavements of Ingleborough to the magnificent sea bird colonies and marine life around Flamborough.

Jeff Lunn, English Nature's area manager for south and west Yorkshire where 161,000 hectares of SSSIs are found, said the completion of the study of all of England's 4,112 sites, covering more than 1m hectares or about 7pc of England, was an enormous achievement.

"The findings highlight a very complex range of issues which need addressing at site, regional or national level," he said. "Positive action is already under way with SSSI managers throughout the region safeguarding these special sites."

English Nature and the Government Office for the North-East have pledged to work together to safeguard the region's sites.

Jonathan Blackie, regional director of GONE, said the region's rich, natural environment was a key economic asset. People's lives were constantly enriched by its wildlife and landscapes. It was central to the region's character, its economic and social well being.

"These figures demonstrate the need to act to improve the condition of our wildlife sites and we are determined to do so," he said.

Tony Laws, area manager for EN, said much good work was already under way with SSSI managers taking great pride in managing their land for wildlife.

One example was on the Hexhamshire Moors SSSI where EN, the Rural Development Service North-East, local estates and graziers have worked together to develop a wildlife enhancement scheme. It will benefit both graziers and the heather-covered moors and has already shown that financially viable businesses and wildlife can go hand in hand.

Nick Howard, a local farmer who lost his sheep through foot-and-mouth, believes the partnership approach is the way forward. "If it wasn't for the help of English Nature and the development of this scheme, restocking the moor would have been a very difficult task," he said.

"The scheme has also given farmers a sense of direction. Farmers feel very strongly about the environment and I enjoy being part of a scheme that protects the uplands and helps to make farming more sustainable."

At Teesmouth, EN is working with a host of partners to safeguard internationally important mudflats critical for the survival of thousands of migratory birds.

The estuary supports more than 20,000 birds each year, including knot, redshank, shelduck, sanderling and sandwich terns, as well as a colony of seals.

"We work with the many industries, regulators and recreational users of the estuary to maintain a balance between their needs and the needs of this very special wildlife," said Mike Leakey, local EN conservation officer.

On the North York Moors, English Nature and the Hawnby Estate are working together to ensure the sustainable management of extensive areas of heather-covered moors.

A wildlife enhancement scheme agreement has recently been signed which will allow for a significant area of blanket bog to be restored. The agreement is also helping to retain key nesting areas for merlin, one of the smallest birds of prey.

Further south, the Humber estuary supports more than 150,000 birds each year, including knot, lapwing, golden plover and breeding little terns. EN is again working with the port, industries, regulators and recreational users to maintain a balance between the needs of a busy commercial centre and special wildlife.

The survey results will help everyone involved in meeting the Government target to see exactly where the problems are and what needs to be done to address them.

Mr Lunn said it was a challenging target which would take huge effort. "This will need a partnership approach, with carefully co-ordinated action by many different parties," he said. "The results revealed today will act as a catalyst to encourage further action and so secure a better outlook for the inspiring local landscapes which we all value so much."

The Country Land and Business Association said it welcomed any report which could help farmers and landowners care and manage the land they owned and worked for a living.

It was, however, concerned by EN's criticisms of inappropriate burning, over-grazing and agricultural pollution. Land had to be managed and it was the management over the years that had created the rich and diverse moorland that people enjoyed.

Douglas Chalmers, regional director North, said no-one had done more to prevent damage to moorland this summer, with huge fires burning out of control, than CLA members and the Moorland Association.

"These are not the actions of people who would wilfully cause damage by inappropriate burning and we would welcome further discussions between EN and land managers to clarify exactly what is appropriate," he said.