A CONSERVATORY inside a busy park is among several listed areas in East Lancashire that have appeared on Historic England’s 2018 Heritage at Risk Register.

The conservatory inside Blackburn’s Corporation Park is one of several historic sites on the list, including St Cuthbert’s Church in Darwen, Sparth Manor in Clayton-le-Moors, Brierfield Mills and Shuttleworth Hall in Hapton.

The register includes buildings, places of worship, monuments, parks, gardens, conservation areas and battlefields that have been assessed by inspectors and found to be at risk.

The historic conservatory, which was opened in 1857, has fallen into disrepair and several panes of glass have been smashed.

The Corporation Park Supporters Group has been trying to raise funds to help bring the conservatory back into use.

Tasleem Fazal, chairman of the group, said the conservatory’s appointment to the list could be seen as a positive and a negative.

He said: “Obviously it’s a sad time when this conservatory, which once served as a beautiful place to be, has fallen into disrepair and has ended up on the list.

“However, if we stay positive, the fact it is now on the register means people will open their eyes and think if we do not do something now we may lose this forever.

“The group are working really hard to try and raise funds to repair the conservatory but things are going slower than expected.

“We have a beautiful park, the lawns and gardens are in an excellent condition and all our volunteers and supporters work hard throughout the year to keep them that way.

“It’s just the conservatory that sticks in people’s minds.

“Hopefully this register can kickstart some positive action.”

According to the register, the conservatory is in a poor condition and is deteriorating.

Other buildings on the list in the region include Extwistle Hall in Briercliffe, The Holme in Cliviger, Church of St Bartholomew in Great Harwood and St James Church in Accrington.

Whalley Abbey, the Old Lower Hodder Bridge in Great Mitton and the Ribchester Roman fort are also on the list.

Graham Jones, Hyndburn’s MP, said he was concerned with the number of buildings on the list.

He said: “Our historical buildings are a priority.

“They are our history and going forward a unique historical and architectural legacy left by past generations.

“I have campaigned with others locally to save as many as possible.

“It’s sad when that fight to save one is lost.”