Releasing the 2008 version of its Buildings at Risk register, English Heritage has for the first time included scheduled monuments, including battlefields at Towton and Stamford Bridge.

Stamford Bridge, near York, was where King Harold defeated the invading Viking Harald Hardrada, before starting the long march to Hastings to confront the Norman army in 1066.

Some historians say the fierce fight with Norway's Hardrada, then the 250-mile march to the south coast, pushed King Harold's men to the limits before he faced William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings.
Towton, often described as the bloodiest battle fought on British soil, saw 28,000 men die in one day during the War of the Roses.

That battle, which happened near Garforth in 1461, ended in a decisive Yorkist victory with huge loss of life.

Both battlefields are said to be in "declining" condition. Towton is said to have been damaged by private metal detectors and ploughing.
New buildings on the list for this year include a farmhouse which belonged to an ancient Leeds yeoman and a pit village's dovecote.

And as the register was published, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a pledge of £1.34m for urgent repairs to 14 Grade II churches in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Places of worship often take up several of the places on the at risk register.

High up on that list is Stank Hall, in Dewsbury Road, Beeston Leeds.
The hall has is Grade II* listed scheduled ancient monument, and has been given top priority for repair.

Owned by Leeds City Council, its condition is said to be "very bad". Parts of it date back to the 1400s.

Maddy Jago, English Heritage's regional director for planning and development, said: "This was once a major yeoman farm, slightly smaller than a manor farm. The barn dates back to the 15th Century while parts of it were rebuilt in stone in the 17th Century."

The dovecote, in Sharlston, near Wakefield, is an important part of the pit village's history.

It dates from at least the 17th century, and English Heritage is working with farmer and owner Ron Cooling, to find ways of stopping the rot.

In Mirfield, Hopton Congregational Church, a Grade II* listed building, is a new entry.

The empty building, in Calder Road, is disused and is said to be in poor condition.

Ms Jago said: "The church and the school buildings attached to it are dated from 1829. Inside the church is largely unchanged, and the original box pews and windows are still there. "However, leaks have led to patches of decaying timber and a roof truss has fallen in."

Ms Jago said that nine West Yorkshire churches would receive a share of the £1.34m allocated for repairs.

The money would be used to tackle problems such as crumbling masonry, rotten timbers and leaking roofs, she said.

Among that nine are the Church of St Hilda, in Cross Green, Leeds, which is to be granted £150,000, St James, in Heckmondwike, awarded £59,000, and St Helen's Church, Hemsworth, also gets £59,000.

Ms Jago added: "These grants will make a huge difference, helping congregations tackle urgently needed repairs.

"But places of worship continue to struggle to keep pace with a growing backlog of repairs.

"A longer-term solution is required and we will continue to push for this with our Inspired! campaign."

For more on Buildings at Risk, or the Inspired! campaign visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.

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