A GOTHIC-style listed former school in Bradford has been named as one of the UK's most at risk buildings.

National architecture charity the Victorian Society has included Feversham Street First School in Feversham Street, Barkerend, in its 2017 Top Ten Endangered Buildings list.

The campaign, now in its tenth year, recognises the plight of endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings in England and Wales in the hope that increased publicity will help save them.

The Gothic revival building was built by Lockwood and Mawson in 1873 and closed as a school 120 years later in 1993.

The Society notes: “Since then this striking building has been used mainly for commercial purposes.

"However it now appears to be closed and abandoned, and has been for some time.

"Unbelievably there have been no substantial planning applications for the building within the last two decades.

"Surely a new, permanent use for this fine building - the only Grade II* on this year’s list - could be quite easily found?”

Alan Hall, vice-chairman of Bradford Civic Society said: “This school is an example of one of the early board schools set up after the 1870 Elementary Education Act. It is of great historic and architectural importance and should be preserved.”

Christopher Costelloe, Victorian Society director, said: “It’s incredible that the Feversham Street First School building has been left ignored for so long, when it has such obvious potential for a fine regeneration,” adding that it had great architectural and historical value.

Comedian and TV presenter Griff Rhys Jones, who is the Victorian Society’s vice-president, said it was deplorable.

“The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings campaign is now in its tenth year and over the years we have seen what a difference it can make to the future of Victorian and Edwardian buildings in peril," he said.

“All of the buildings on this year’s list have local, even national, importance in terms of their history and/or architecture. To have let them fall into their current state is deplorable, but there is still time to save them for future generations to enjoy.

“Many of the buildings have committed community groups rallying behind them, but I know from experience that funding can be difficult to secure.

“We need local authorities and private investors to recognise the potential of these buildings and take steps to secure and revitalise them before it’s too late.”

Feversham Street First School was built as part of a huge school building programme across the country triggered by the 1870 Education Act which created the first state system of elementary schools and led to school boards being set up supported by household rates.

In 1976, it became the first mixed higher elementary board school in England.