CRUMBLING monuments and decaying farmsteads threaten the area's rich rural heritage, a new report warns.

In a bleak assessment of North Yorkshire's landscapes and buildings, a survey discovered that hundreds of our historic structures are in danger of suffering irreparable damage.

The Heritage Counts 2005 study is the most detailed investigation ever undertaken in the countryside around York and North Yorkshire.

It found that more than a third of the county's 740 ancient monuments outside the two national parks were at high risk.

In Ryedale alone, 14 listed buildings are included on English Heritage's "at risk" register.

Five of the Selby District's 35 Grade II* buildings are also in danger. These include Abbot's Staithe Building in Water Lane, Selby; Gatehouse Farmhouse, Bolton Percy; the 17th century Womersley Park; and Kyme Castle at Newton Kyme, near Tadcaster.

But there was good news for York, after all of its listed buildings were given a clean bill of health.

The report was compiled by The National Trust, the Country Land and Business Association, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

John Hinchliffe, English Heritage's acting Yorkshire director, said: "The report identifies positive trends, but several major challenges. On the downside, the loss of parkland and threats to historic farm buildings and scheduled monuments suggest many cherished aspects of the region's character are at risk.

"But there are rays of sunshine. We have done well at finding solutions for some of our most threatened and important historic buildings."

Mr Hinchliffe described York as "an example to the rest of the county on how to breathe new life into crumbling buildings."

St John's Church, in Micklegate, now a trendy bar, and St Margaret's Church, off Walmgate, now the National Centre for Early Music, have both been removed from the "at risk" list.

The report welcomes Government initiatives to halt the county-wide decline, including the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme, and massive cash investments from heritage funds. More than £100 million has been invested in protecting the region's heritage since 2000, and funding is expected to rise at more than twice the national average next year.

The report also praises a scheme at Fylingdales Moor, which was stripped of two-and-a-half square kilometres of peat and heather by a devastating fire in 2003.

The blaze exposed thousands of archaeological features to wind and rain damage, so the North York Moors National Park Authority and English Nature joined forces to fund a reseeding programme.

Another initiative which has drawn praise from conservationists is a "bypass" at Dargate Dyke in Dalby Forest. The dyke represents a Bronze Age tribal boundary, but was being damaged by mountain bikers.

Earlier this month the Forestry Commission unveiled a 300 metre wooden causeway around its fragile banks.

Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of the Heritage Forum and English Heritage, said: "The heritage of our countryside is a national asset of incalculable value.

"It is one of our greatest cultural achievements and from it many of our finest artists, writers, thinkers and musicians derive their passion and inspiration."

The report's key findings are:

Of 740 ancient monuments in North Yorkshire outside national park boundaries, 39 per cent were deemed to be at high risk. Most of these are located in arable areas, making them vulnerable to plough damage.

Across Yorkshire, £40 million is needed to meet church repair bills. In the Diocese of York alone, £17.8 million is required to maintain some of the 611 places of worship.

A photographic study found 11 per cent of Yorkshire and Humberside's farmsteads showed signs of structural failure, compared with a national average of 7.5 per cent.

In the Yorkshire Dales National Park, 15 per cent of monuments - including stone circles and remnants of the lead mining industry - showed signs of damage from vehicles, animals and erosion.

Coastal erosion could cost North Yorkshire ten metres of coastland over the next century.

Across Yorkshire as a whole, 155 additional construction workers are needed with the necessary skills to maintain historic buildings - 48 carpenters, 45 slate and tile roofers, 36 stonemasons and 26 thatchers.

There are 14 listed buildings in Ryedale on English Heritage's Register of buildings at risk. There are eight in Hambleton and five in Selby - but none in York.

Updated: 10:16 Thursday, November 17, 2005