HISTORIC sites in Kirklees are in line for extra protection.
Neil Redfern, 32, from Easingwold near York, has been appointed Inspector of Ancient Monuments for West Yorkshire by English Heritage.
It is the first time the organisation has appointed someone specifically to look after West Yorkshire's monuments.
Mr Redfern previously worked for English Heritage as a field management warden.
Now his job will be to safeguard the area's historic treasures, look at solutions for their upkeep and encourage the public to take an interest in them.
He said: "West Yorkshire has a unique cultural heritage and our sites need to be conserved.
"Enlisting local support is vital to achieving these goals. It is important to let people know what exciting historic things there are in their environment."
Yorkshire has 2,638 scheduled ancient monuments, 14% of the national total. West Yorkshire alone has 340 sites protected by law, ranging from pre-historic carved stones to ruined churches and unique industrial relics.
One example is the recently renovated Locomotive Bridge on Quay Street in Huddersfield, locally known as Turnbridge.
Mr Redfern said: "This site was one of the sites I worked as project warden for. It really highlights what a unique site is. You just don't find this kind of structure elsewhere."
Mr Redfern's appointment is part of a two-year plan by English Heritage to use historic assets in Yorkshire as a way of regenerating the region.
To kick-start this, English Heritage has invested about £1.5m in grants this year in rural and urban initiatives in Yorkshire, including projects in the Colne Valley.
