HISTORIC buildings have joined a growing list of those threatened by neglect and decay.

Buildings in Wensleydale, Richmond and Guisborough are among those which have been included in the 2001 English Heritage "at risk" register .

The number of listed buildings in danger and need of repair is highest in the North-East - 9.9pc compared with a national average of 3.8pc.

Spotlighting the problem, English Heritage chairman Sir Neil Cossons challenged the "throwaway society" to value historic assets.

"These buildings are landmarks, often the hub of a community," he said. "They give a sense of place and identity to the fabric of society."

This year's register was launched at Tocketts Mill, near Guisborough, on Tuesday. The number of entries in the North-East is up on last year at 136. Twelve have been removed and 19 added.

The 18th century Tocketts Mill is one of those joining the at risk list.

The watermill is on the site of an earlier mill and roof coverings and trusses badly need repair work, which could cost £20,000.

Other new additions include:

l Nappa Hall at Askrigg. The grade I fortified manor house was built in 1459 for James Metcalf, with a wing added in the 17th century.

l Sargill ore hearth lead smelt mill near Hawes. Remains of the mill and associated structures built in the 1840s. Rectangular smelt mill building, flue and part of chimney.

l The old courthouse at Colburn Hall, near Richmond. Grade I medieval courthouse built about 1300 of rubble stone with sandstone dressings under a pantile roof. Now empty, although latterly used as a barn. The roof covering is in poor condition and work is needed on the stonework.

l The phosphate rock silo at Billingham.

English Heritage North-East regional director Mr Peter Bromley said: "Tocketts Mill is a prime example of a structure where we can work together with our local partners to reach a workable solution.

"We will work with the trustees to find a way of repairing and preserving this listed building."

But while some monuments have joined the at risk list, Mr Bromley said there had also been some success stories in the region.

One of these was Saltburn pier, a grade II structure which has been refurbished and recently re-opened after years of disrepair.

"There is still a lot to be done though," he said, adding that it could cost as much as £19m to repair all the buildings on this year's register. "That means both the private and public sectors have an important part to play," he said. "More than 30pc of the threatened buildings could be re-used if a viable solution could be brokered and funding found.

"This will be a key objective for us in the year ahead."

Sir Neil is calling on more local authorities to compile their own registers of grade II buildings at risk as English Heritage only covers the higher grade I and II* buildings.

He also pleaded for more and better-trained conservation officers and the re-use of historic buildings at risk to reduce development pressure on greenfield sites.