Ravensworth Castle in Gateshead is in need of restoration

English Heritage says those at risk range from a 1920s chemical silo in Billingham and lime kilns at South Shields, to a greenhouse with a potting shed in County Durham and Britain's first ever bird research station in Northumberland.

They are all featured in English Heritage's Buildings at Risk (BAR) Register 2003, launched on Friday.

The report coincides with the launch of a BBC TV programme, which will give the viewing public a chance to vote for an at-risk building to be given public funds to be restored.

In the North East there have been three new additions to the register - Harperly Working Camp, near Wolsingham in the Wear Valley, Ratcheugh Observatory near Alnwick and Kyloe Tower House, Berwick upon Tweed.

The register forms the core of Restoration, which will be screened on BBC Two at peak time from early August.

Viewers will be able to vote for Harperly PoW camp in Weardale

Restoration will highlight 30 buildings in peril, including three from the North East and Cumbria and the nation will vote to decide which one is to be saved and restored.

Peter Bromley, director of English Heritage in the North, said: "The cream of the nation's architectural inheritance is being squandered through neglect and lack of awareness.

" Increased attention can only help in finding them a viable future by attracting fresh ideas and new uses and partnerships.

"This year, 114 entries have been successfully taken off the register nationally, but very sadly, 98 new buildings have taken their place.

"Though we have battled to secure the future of more than one in four of the buildings first placed on the register in 1999, and given over �27m since that time, there remains a core of nationally important historic assets that English Heritage simply has no resources to save."

Brackenhill Tower in Carlisle is one of those at risk

Jane Root, Controller of BBC Two, said: "In Restoration we have created a huge event that will go beyond the TV screen and into communities across the UK this summer with a whole raft of activities in local areas."

Restoration will be feature 10 hour-long shows outlining why each of the buildings should be saved.

Celebrity advocates will argue why the historic gems are worthy of being chosen, as they did in last year's Great Britons TV series.

The winner of each programme will be announced by the presenter from the battlements of the Tower Of London. The buildings from the North East and Cumbria are Ravensworth Castle in Gateshead, Harperly PoW Camp and Brackenhill Tower in Carlisle.