TWO historic buildings in Leigh and Tyldesley are at risk of being lost forever unless money is pumped into saving them.

English Heritage claims the Engine House at Leigh Spinners Mill and a former administration block at Astley Hospital could rot away unless thousands of pounds are earmarked to restore them.

The Grade II* public buildings are in a list of 40 properties whose condition is alarming the organisation.

The Engine Room at Leigh Spinners Mill, on Park Lane, is owned by the company based there and is said to be in a fair condition. But it needs funds to maintain the site and restore the large engine.

The former administration block at Astley Hospital, on Church Road, Tyldesley, is vacant at the moment.

The building, built around 1580 but refronted in 1650, has been neglected since the health authority left and English Heritage has stepped in to develop it.

They plan to build a clinic, playground, office and community-based facilities which will cost a total of £2.3m. The organisation has received £1.6m from the Lottery fund but is still £240,000 short.

The English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk 2000 aims to keep attention focused on neglected historic buildings and monuments by highlighting the size of the problem.

The group's Chairman, Sir Neil Cossons, said: "England's historic civic and public buildings stand as prominent features in cities and towns throughout the country.

"They are familiar to us all as defining characteristics of the places in which we live. Yet many of these buildings are today standing empty and semi-derelict, their architectural quality struggling to assert itself through peeling paint and crumbling masonry.

"We must act to save England's civic and public buildings at risk before it is too late."

This is the third register English Heritage has published and this year it has seen a net increase of 10 buildings on the risk list.

Other buildings in the borough which appear are Haigh Hall, Winstanley Hall and the gateway and lodges at the entrance of Haigh Hall park.