FIVE churches - including one fewer than 50 years old - have been place on the 'buildings at risk' register by English Heritage in the Bradford district today though there is some good news for the area.

The register is an annual review of the country's historic gems which are at risk through deterioration and neglect but the latest review announced today reports "great progress" in the St Paul's Conservation Area in Manningham which had previously been declared among the areas 'at risk'.

A report by English Heritage, the Government's advisor on preserving the nation's heritage, highlights particularly the work done at the former St Catherine's Home for Cancer and Incurables.

That was a 19th Century hospice which has been transformed and brought back into use, now accommodating 16 homes and apartments.

The project was funded jointly by the Homes and Communities Agency and Bradford Council, with a grant from English Heritage being used specifically to conserve the distinctive leaded glasswork of the building, its Westmorland slate roof and a spire which EH describes as "stunning".

Councillor Val Slater Bradford Council's executive member for housing, planning and transport, said: "This is a fantastic building with some beautiful features.

"I am pleased that with funding from the Council it is now off English Heritage's At Risk List and providing much needed affordable homes for Bradfordians."

The Council was able to provide £100,000 in funding support from the empty homes fund to bring about the creation of 16 affordable homes in the former St Catherine's Nursing Home and help to bring this previously derelict heritage property back into use.

An imposing mill complex in Keighley has also been added to at risk register.

Dalton Mills in Keighley is included in the latest list despite massive ongoing restoration work to return the landmark site to its former glory.

English Heritage says the mills' inclusion in the register is recognition of its national significance and its condition in the wake of two fires, in 2011 and last year.

Craig McHugh, the body's heritage-at-risk principal in Yorkshire, said: "Our textile heritage is woven through the landscape of West Yorkshire, whether it's the great factories such as Dalton Mills, cloth trading markets like the First White Cloth Hall in Leeds or the many former textile workers' cottages that give such character to many of our most picturesque towns and villages.

"We are always keen to work with owners and communities that share our belief that this inheritance needs to be passed on to future generations to enjoy and learn from.

"Dalton Mills is an important piece of Yorkshire’s architectural heritage and the future looks hopeful as its restoration continues."

The building, whose listed status has been upgraded to Grade II* in the past year, was built by the Craven family and remained in its ownership from 1866 until 2004.

In its heyday of worsted yarn production, more than 2,000 people were employed at the site.

Now under the ownership of Paul Harris, extensive renovations have been carried out.

The Tower Mill part of the site is almost fully let as offices and there are ambitious plans for the New Mill and Genappe Mill sections, including retail, leisure and museum facilities.

"The local reaction to the work that we've done in the past year has been incredibly positive and people can see that things are happening again at Dalton Mills," said Mr Harris.

"We are on track to have more commercial space ready to let next year and now, with the support of English Heritage too, we hope that ultimately we can restore the whole of the mill to its former glory and make it the cornerstone of the community that it once was."

At Ilkley, cup and ring marked stones have been removed from the register, due to improved management and the Green Crag enclosure has also been removed, following the investment of grants and stewardship from Natural England.

In total there are 36 entries on the at risk register in Bradford, which includes six Grade II* listed buildings, 11 places of worship, seven scheduled monuments, 11 conservation areas and one registered park garden.

English Heritage says eight structures across Yorkshire have been added to the latest register, and five removed.

The list also includes an additional 47 places of worship in the region, and 13 parks and gardens are deemed to be at risk.

In the past year, English Heritage has provided nearly £900,000 in grants to 67 'at risk' sites across Yorkshire.

Visit english-heritage.org.uk/risk for further information.