Buildings at medieval County Durham village protected

The chapel of St Lawrence dates back to the 12th Century

Vital repair work is to be carried out on crumbling buildings at a deserted medieval County Durham village.

The future of the three structures at the abandoned village of Barforth, near Darlington, has been assured thanks to a pledge from Natural England.

The organisation will fund a project which will protect an historic bridge, a 12th Century chapel and a medieval dovecote from further deterioration.

The buildings are the only remaining evidence of a now vanished settlement.

A spokesman for Natural England said: "Natural England has stepped in to offer help to fund the essential conservation work at the abandoned village.

"The three buildings are the only remaining evidence of the now vanished settlement known as Old Richmond.

"We are in discussion with the landowner to provide funding through for conservation work.

"The chapel, dovecote and bridge are listed on the Heritage At Risk register and we are working with English Heritage and specialist historic building conservation experts to help safeguard the three structures at Barforth."

Work is expected to start later this year.