CONSERVATIONISTS rolled up their sleeves on Saturday to give the site of a historic lead mine a major clear-up.

The volunteers spent the day at Keld Heads lead mine at Preston-under-Scar, near Leyburn.

They cleared roots, branches and saplings from the site, and gave the engine house and wheel pit a thorough tidy.

Keld Heads is on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register. The site has been mined since the 12th Century, but the present complex dates from the 18th and 19th centuries.

English Heritage said recently that the structures were in a very bad condition.

Saturday's clear-up was carried out by volunteers recruited by North Yorkshire County Council.

The volunteers are part of the authority's countryside services department and help to maintain public footpaths and bridleways across North Yorkshire.

Local residents and the council's rural archaeologist, Linda Smith, also helped out on Saturday.

The authority got involved with the project after Preston-under-Scar Parish Council asked for help in protecting the area.

Councillor Peter Sowray, executive member for environmental services, said: "I'm delighted that the county council has been able to offer its volunteers to carry out such an important tidy-up operation.

"The footpath that goes through the site is popular with locals and visitors and we want to make the area as interesting as possible."

English Heritage will now conduct a survey of the site before further conservation work is carried out.

Anyone interested in helping with the project can contact the county council's countryside volunteers co-ordinator, Dave Ranner, on (01609) 532435.