A MEDIEVAL cross and bronze age ceremonial grounds are among the historic sites in Ryedale at risk of being lost if action is not taken.

Historic England has published its Heritage at Risk Register, which gives details of the health of England’s most valued historic places, and those most at risk of being lost to future generations.

The decline of culturally significant sites could be due to neglect, decay or inappropriate development and nine new sites have been added in Yorkshire, of which eight are in North Yorkshire.

These include round barrows - ceremonial mounds dating from the bronze age - in Hawnby, Roppa South Cross on Carr Cote Ridge near, Helmsley, and a medieval dyke known as War Dike in Stainton Dale, near Scarborough.

Heritage England has, however, removed 16 sites in Yorkshire from the register this year.

This includes All Saints Church in Slingsby, Hollins Mine and Bank Top iron calcining kilns, near Lastingham, and Coulton Mill, near Hovingham.

The mill was built in the 17th century and developed over the following 200 years, finally ceasing production in 1950.

However, the origins of the water-powered corn mill are far earlier as references to it can be found in medieval documents from the 13th century.

Listed at Grade II* - the second highest level of listing - the mill is notable for its early wooden machinery which pre-dates the industrial revolution and is a rare survival.

The mill, together with its attached house, was added to the Heritage at Risk Register as the end wall with the mill wheel was falling down and the roof was in a poor condition.

Thanks to a grant from the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the owner’s own contribution, repairs were carried out to the wall and roof, enabling the mill to be rescued from the Register.

Trevor Mitchell, regional director for Historic England in the North East and Yorkshire, said: “It is the varied tapestry of our historic places in Yorkshire that helps us define who we are.

“In testing times such as these, heritage can give us a sense of continuity and bring us comfort.

“We also know that investing in Yorkshire’s historic places can help boost our economic recovery.

“The 16 places in Yorkshire rescued from the register this year show us that good progress is being made, but there is still a long way to go and many more historic buildings and places which need TLC, funding, strong partnership working and community support to give them a brighter future.”