A FORMER prisoner of war camp in County Durham is now rated alongside Stonehenge and Blenheim Palace in terms of historic importance.

Harperley POW Camp, in Weardale, last week became the first ever prisoner of war camp to be awarded scheduled monument status.

By being placed on the elite list the 17-acre site, which was home to almost 1,000 Italian and German men during the Second World War, is now protected by law.

Camp 93, as it was known during wartime, was one of 100 purpose-built camps in Britain yet English Heritage believe only ten are still standing.

Kate Wilson, inspector of ancient monuments for English Heritage, said: "Very few camps survived and it is unlikely there are any in such good condition, that was why it is so important the site is protected as a scheduled monument.

"There is a danger that sites still in living memory are not thought of as history and therefore not preserved as they should be. Now we can help the owners restore and preserve the 49 remaining huts, including a theatre, chapel, canteen and jail, in the best possible way."

Making the announcement, Arts Minister Tessa Blackstone, said: "Harperley provides a fascinating time capsule from a period in our history that has been largely forgotten.

"This is a perfect example of the way in which real people's experiences can transform otherwise ordinary buildings into a living part of our heritage."

Owners James and Lisa McCleod, of nearby Hamsterley, bought the site in November 2001 and plan to restore it so it can be opened as a museum.

Mrs McCleod said: "We're really proud to own something rated so highly. We believe in what we're doing here and have never thought of giving up but this level of interest reminds us that what we're doing is really important."

Mr McCleod added: "Now that the camp has been made a scheduled monument we can tap into the expertise of English Heritage. And hopefully more grants will be available to help us do a really good job of preserving the buildings and creating a monument to the people who lived here and a really interesting place to visit."

Before the McCleods bought the site and huts, which had been used as agricultural buildings until 1999, there were plans to transform it into a state-of-the-art business park.

Coun Olive Brown, leader of Wear Valley District Council, said: "I'm delighted the camp will be protected for future generations, hopefully it will become a popular visitor attraction and give the dale the boost it needs.

"At the time I was disappointed that the park didn't go ahead but this is the best option for the sake of the site and heritage."