England's history under threat: How vandalism and neglect have left treasured heritage sites at risk

Their stones, bricks, brooks and glades ring with the sounds of our history. But we seem to have stopped listening.

A shocking report on England's iconic landmarks reveals that one in 12 are under threat from neglect, decay and vandalism.

Battersea power station in South London is among the sites at risk, as its future remains uncertain.

Another, Cumbria's prehistoric Birkrigg stone circle, has been targeted by spray-painting vandals.

English Heritage, which compiled the register of more than 6,000 threatened sites, yesterday called on Britons to wake up to the damage being done.

One in five scheduled monuments, registered battlefields and protected wreck sites are in danger, while one in 30 Grade 1 listed buildings are being neglected.

Lord Lockhart, chairman of English Heritage, said: 'Everybody must live near, walk past or know of a heritage treasure at risk near them.

'We believe that our Heritage At Risk register will galvanise the nation into doing something about this before it is too late and help us save the best of the past.'

The register includes Victorian schools and town halls, derelict railway stations, unstable remains of abbeys, eroded iron age forts and overgrown country parks.

Other at-risk sites include crumbling Second World War pillboxes, neglected 1960s tower blocks and battle sites threatened by housing.

Battersea Power Station: The famous London site is in decay

Lowther Castle: The derelict landmark in Cumbria is described as an 'empty shell'

Many of the threatened sites are known only to locals. But others - such as the Eleanor cross outside London's Charing Cross station and the Civil War site of the Battle of Newbury in Berkshire - are world-famous. Some sites are threatened by ploughing and erosion.

Others are at risk because of neglectful owners, poor developments and lack of maintenance.

The report assessed England's 30,000 Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed buildings, all 20,000 of the most important archaeological sites and monuments, all 1,500 registered historic parks and gardens, 43 battlefields and 45 wrecks.

Ten threatened sites:                                                            

1. Birkrigg Stone Circle, CumbriaA prehistoric circle of 31 stones between 1700 and 1400BC overlooking Morcambe Bay. Also known as the Druid's Circle, the isolated site is a frequent target for paint-spraying vandals.
2. Uxbridge Lido, LondonA Grade 2 listed lido built in 1935, the only remaining 12-sided "star" swimming pool in the UK. Abandoned in 1998 and covered in graffiti, it needs huge investment to meet Health and Safety standards.
3. Battersea Power StationBuilt in the 1930s, the former coal fired power station is the largest brick building in Europe. Its distinctive Art Deco towers appeared on Pink Floyd's 1977 LP Animals. Closed in 1983, its future remains uncertain.
4. Newbury, BerkshireSite of the first Battle of Newbury in 1643 when Roundheads prevented a large Parliamentary army from marching on London. Under threat from housing developers.
5. Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross, LondonThe crumbling Victorian cross stands outside the busy London railway station. Fragments of stone are falling off and it is desperate need of repair and restoration
6. Bowes Railway Incline and Springwell Colliery, GatesheadPart of the 1826 Stephenson rope-hauled colliery railway - one of the world's first modern railways - it is suffering from severe erosion, storm damage and vandalism.
7. Lowther Castle, CumbriaEmpty since 1942, the once spectacular 19th century Gothic castle - once home to the Lowther family -  is now a derelict shell surrounded by 3,000 acres of grounds.
8. Snodhill Castle, HerefordshireDating from the 11th century, the castle is a victim of extreme neglect. English Heritage says the castle has been 'effectively abandoned' by its owners and parts are in danger of collapse.
9. Boston Manor House, HounslowThree storey Jacobean manor built in 1623 and surrounded by parkland, parts are in danger of toppling over and are being propped up by scaffolding.

10.Tynemouth Station
      Built in 1882, it is one of the North East's most impressive Victorian stations. But
      parts of the station are now unused and its decorate iron canopies are rusting.