CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect a historic Richmond ruin from the threat of fast-flowing water from the River Swale say they have been warned not to rely on cash from the Environment Agency.

The Easby Riverside Restoration Project was formed earlier this year after local people noticed that a five-metre river bank in the shadow of the nearby Easby Abbey was gradually being eroded away.

With experts warning it could collapse completely within ten or 15 years, they have been pressing the authorities for cash to cover the cost of shoring it up. There is already about £6,000 pledged to a rescue fund, but the campaign was hoping for sizeable grants to boost the total nearer to the target of £75,000.

But, yesterday, an on-site meeting with the Environment Agency ended in disappointment.

Project spokesman, Brian Robertshaw said: "As the eroded bank is on private land, we were told not to hold our breath. They also appeared to doubt the abbey would be threatened within the next 15 years. I can't help feeling we've gone backwards. Although I wasn't expecting a miracle, I was hoping for something from them.''

The Environment Agency could not be contacted last night.