A HERITAGE advisor has called for action to stop arsonists wrecking part of an area's history.

Arsons on Eston Moor, near Middlesbrough, are destroying heather and scrub that for centuries has provided protective cover for ancient burial mounds, field boundaries and enclosures.

Trials bikes and off-road vehicles are also damaging the vulnerable earthworks.

English Heritage, which advises the Government on conserving archaeological sites, is working with Cleveland Police to improve protection of the ancient moor.

Kate Wilson, inspector of ancient monuments for English Heritage North-East, said: "This activity has to stop if we are to protect this national important archaeology for future generations.

"It is vital that we work together to safeguard and protect these hugely important heritage sites so that they can be preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

"It is important that English Heritage inspectors are involved at the first possible opportunity as the statutory guardians of these monuments with expert knowledge to evaluate the damage.

"English Heritage and the Cleveland Police force will be working together to protect and prevent any further illegal activity on these and other scheduled monuments in the Tees Valley."

She is working with Detective Constable Trevor Smith, of Cleveland Police, who said: "By building a closer relationship with English Heritage, we can reduce the number of incidents of damage to scheduled monuments and, where necessary, secure convictions against those responsible for the damage."

The organisations are also concerned that fences have been ripped up and used as bonfire fuel, while earlier this year two sheep were slaughtered and one farmer's cattle were stampeded through a neighbour's crops.

One farmer had to move pigs he is rearing below the moor to another field because vandals repeatedly cut through barbed wire fences.

Police recently seized an air rifle, an axe, a 6in combat knife and lock knives from rival gangs of children camping around landmark rocky outcrop Eston Nab in groups of up to 40.

Over one weekend last summer, Cleveland Police rounded up 22 teenagers, with an average age of 14, of whom six were armed.