THE HISTORIC Myddelton Lodge in Ilkley has been included in a register of the region's most vulnerable buildings and monuments, for the second year running.

English Heritage produces the register each year to highlight important historic buildings and ancient monuments in Yorkshire and the Humber which it feels are in need of restoration.

The Lodge, off Langbar Road, appears on the register alongside 153 other buildings and monuments in Yorkshire and the Humber, including Harewood Castle and Dob Park Lodge, near Otley.

The organisation works with the owners of historic buildings and monuments to help with their restoration.

The Grade I listed building, part of which is a former hunting lodge dating back to the 13th century, was bought last year by Mark and Janet Sayer, who pledged to renovate the building.

The Sayers aim to restore the lodge to a family home, reinstating the formal gardens.

An English Heritage spokesman said the register is not a criticism of the owners of historic buildings in the region, and aims to focus the organisation's priorities in the region.

English Heritage regional director, David Fraser, said: "These buildings and monuments can be brought back into a reasonable condition with modest investment, allowing our resources to stretch further. Overall we are pleased with the progress being made in Yorkshire and the Humber to arrest the decay of our most precious buildings."

Myddelton Lodge was the home of the Middelton family for centuries, before being owned by Bradford woollen merchant Sidney Kellett. It was bought in 1922 by the Order of Passionist Fathers and developed as a spiritual retreat centre.

The building was then bought by the Catholic Diocese of Leeds in 1985, before being put on the market for £750,000 in 2000.

A chapel was added to the building in the 19th Century.

English Heritage's register classes Myddelton Lodge as being in fair condition, and says that areas of decay previously found in the roof timbers have been eradicated.