At risk conservation areas census

Corfe Castle's ruins were restored after being eroded by the weather

Conservation areas at risk in Dorset will be put on a national register to create a "Domesday Book of every aspect of England's threatened heritage".

English Heritage has urged authorities and environmental groups to inform them about such sites as part of its Conservation Areas at Risk campaign.

The results of the heritage census will be revealed when the campaign is launched on 23 June, it said.

English heritage hopes to help councils and communities care for these areas.

The register - created with the results of questionnaires - will help everyone to prioritise action, direct resources to areas of need and focus attention on saving the best of the past for the future, a spokeswoman from the heritage watchdog said.

"Eventually it will make England the first country in the world to have a comprehensive picture of its heritage at risk and the necessary understanding to save it," she added.

Andrew Vines, English Heritage's South West regional director, said: "We have hundreds of conservation areas here in the South West - designated areas of villages, cities and towns that have special character or unique heritage that need protecting from development or damage.

"Conservation areas have been designated as such because they are special places requiring special care - the steps being taken now will help ensure that they receive that special care."

Dr Simon Thurley, English Heritage's chief executive, said: "We will be analysing the results carefully so that we can propose solutions where conservation areas are in decline."