Salisbury Plain on 'at risk' list

Burrowing animals have damaged important archaeological sites

Fragile archaeological remains on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire are being damaged by rabbits according to English Heritage's "Heritage At Risk" report.

The area is just one of the sites to be included on the national register aimed at protecting the country's heritage.

Protective rabbit-proof wire mesh is now covering the Bronze Age barrows to prevent further damage.

Salisbury Plain is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is the largest military training area in the UK.

Andrew Vines, South West regional director of English Heritage, said: "The fact that scheduled monuments will now start to be officially listed on the register will give weight to their importance to our heritage and help identify ways in which partners can work together to save them.

"Along with the historic landscapes, parks and gardens, scheduled monuments, battlefields and wrecks will also now begin to be included on the register.

"We will be able to build up a comprehensive picture of the state of our protected heritage and take steps to save these precious resources for the future."