A world class academy to counter the shortage of craftspeople who maintain Britain's architectural heritage could be formed in York and North Yorkshire.

That is the vision being shaped by York College and Castle Howard near Malton.

The idea is that a Yorkshire and Humber Heritage Skills Academy will be housed in what are now redundant buildings at Castle Howard, using the nationally recognised expertise of York College to deliver much of the training.

Detailed research by English Heritage two years ago flagged-up what is likely to be a serious shortage of craftspeople to keep 4.41 million historic homes and 550,000 historic commercial buildings in England alone from falling into disrepair.

A workforce of more than 86,000 in the built heritage sector fell short by more than 3,400 in a year to keep up with a demand which represented an annual £3.5 billion spend on conservation and restoration, the research revealed.

The initiative for a regional academy is strongly-backed by the recently-formed Yorkshire and Humber Traditional Craft Skills Action Group which brings together a number of key regional and national stakeholders from the heritage craft sector.

They include English Heritage, Construction Industry Training Board, Construction Skills, Learning and Skills Council, Yorkshire Forward, the National Heritage Training Group, the University of York's Institute for Advanced Architectural Studies, the York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship, the Stone Federation, as well as Castle Howard and York College.

A feasibility study has now been launched by the College and Castle Howard to establish how the regional academy can be constantly funded.

Bob Buck, head of faculty in technology and science at York College, said the venture would support the education and training of a wide range of groups, including 14 to 16 year olds still at school, apprentices and learners at college and professionals from both within and outside the skills sector, who need "upskilling."

He said: "It will also serve as a showcase for all sections of the general public who visit the centre to view all aspects of skills and technical applications relating to the construction sector."

For Castle Howard the initiative will be part of its "reaching out" strategy to help business and industry beyond its borders.