The number of historic buildings in the Midlands which are in a state of disrepair has decreased in recent years, heritage campaigners said yesterday.

However, English Heritage also called for more to be done to help save the region's vulnerable Grade I and II* buildings and monuments.

The group made the call after it released its Buildings at Risk Registerwhich contains 1,430 of the nation's most precious assets, including 186 from the Midlands.

Now in its eighth year, the register measures what will be lost if the nation's favourite buildings either fail to secure funding for repair or become unused.

Among the buildings added to the study this year is a Jewellery Quarter terrace which is one of the best surviving examples of former dwellings converted and extended to form jewellery workshops and showrooms.

The buildings, located at 54- 57 Albion Street, were built around 1840 and contains original shop drawings, dyes and tools spanning 150 years of occupation by the same family firm.

The site is gradually falling into disuse as the business declines, and English Heritage and the City Council have commissioned a feasibility study to explore the potential of bringing the buildings back to life.

English Heritage's regional director Chris Smith said: "Of the 186 Midlands entries in this year's register, more than 30 per cent are in the top priority category, 'A'.

"This reflects the scale of the problem in the region. However, significant progress is being made and seven buildings have been removed from the Register, while 28 cases - where repair schemes are underway or about to start - are likely to be removed next year."

Mr Smith said one of English Heritage's most significant developments this year has been the group's acquisition of Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury, with funding from Advantage West Midlands.

The heritage group is drawing up an action plan for the complex of industrial buildings, which includes the first ironframed building in the world.

English Heritage's chief executive Simon Thurley said: "English Heritage simply does not have enough money to save every building at risk on the register."

* The 2005 Buildings At Risk Register is available at www.english-heritage.org.uk/bar