One in 12 heritage sites in the country is at risk of neglect or decay, according to English Heritage.

The public body has assessed 70,000 protected sites, and found that one in five scheduled monuments; one in five registered battlefields; one in five protected wreck sites; one in 30 Grade I and II-listed buildings and one in 40 Grade II-listed buildings in London is at high risk.

The 'true enemies' to heritage sites are ploughing, scrub and tree growth, lack of funds, neglectful owners, burrowing animals, inappropriate development, vandalism and natural erosion.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart, chair of English Heritage, said: "Our ambition is nothing less than to compile a database of all of England's designated heritage that is at risk of neglect or decay. The results of this first Heritage at Risk report show that everybody must live near, walk past or know of a heritage treasure at risk near them."

English Heritage is calling on local authorities and the public to help. "We urge local authorities to use the powers they have more often to serve Repairs and Urgent Works Notices, and indeed English Heritage will help fund them to do so," said Bruce-Lockhart. "Local authorities can also, for example, help to protect registered battlefields, which have no formal protection, by declaring them a conservation area."

"The public too, have a role to play," he continued. "We want people to help us spot what is going on near them, let us know, talk to their local authority's conservation officer and find out if and how they can get involved." Details: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Photograph: Birkrigg stone circle in Cumbria