LUDLOW'S rundown town walls are among more than 180 West Midlands structures branded as at risk through decay, despite being among of the country's most important listed buildings.

Several south Shropshire buildings figure in English Heritage's 2003 national Register of Buildings at Risk, which reveals the scale of the challenge to preserve the UK's historic environment.

Buildings in Hopton Castle, Bromfield and Wistanstow are included on the register of 183 sites.

The condition of the medieval Ludlow town walls, which have divided ownership, is described as poor and the register reports that an overall plan for their restoration is needed.

It adds that some repairs have been carried out with grant aid but various sections of the walls are "still in need of repair".

The Castle Flats in Ludlow's Castle Square are described as fair on the register. Mostly unoccupied, the flats are in the process of being acquired by Powis Estate, which wants to refurbish them and bring them back into use.

Go-ahead

It was hoped the refurbishment work would have begun this summer but Powis is awaiting the go-ahead from John Prescott's environment department to complete the acquisition.

The remains of the 14th century Hopton Castle tower keep and its outer bailey are in a very bad state, according to the register. English Heritage has had to carry out emergency propping works to the keep's ruins.

A preservation trust is being set up to buy and repair the castle, with English heritage among organisations being approach-ed for funding.

Lea Castle at Lydham is said to be in poor condition, with fragmentary remains of the 12th century building surviving in the middle of a working farm. Overgrowing ivy needs to be reduced, followed by masonry repairs.

The part-occupied Cheney Longville Castle at Wistanstow is also poor. Although the north wing of the fortified 17th century manor house is used as a farmhouse, the other buildings around the courtyard are disused and deteriorating.

There are long-term plans to convert part of the site for holiday accommodation.

Other buildings listed are on the register are a fives court at Bowling Green House, Bromfield, Rockley Farmhouse at Chirbury with Brompton and Elsich Manor, Corfton, Diddlebury.