IMPORTANT historical sites across Somerset will be cared for by the Somerset Heritage Service, soon to become part of the South West Heritage Trust.

Eight heritage sites owned by Somerset County Council will be leased to the newly-formed trust, who will take responsibility for managing the sites.

The sites contain important archaeological remains ranging in date from Bronze Age barrows on Cothelstone Hill and Roman remains at Charterhouse on Mendip, through to a medieval moated site at Marston Magna and 18th-century remains of a glass cone in Bridgwater.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Inward Investment and Policy, said: “The leasing of these sites presents a great opportunity for them to be managed, interpreted and presented to the public in the best way.

"We are delighted to be working with the new trust to ensure that the sites are protected for future generations.”

Tom Mayberry, who is to be Chief Executive of the new trust, said: “We will be working with local groups to interpret and manage the sites, and feel privileged to be taking responsibility for them.

"They are very important to Somerset and offer a great opportunity for people to discover more about the county’s rich heritage.” The sites are Marston Magna moated site; Nether Adber deserted medieval village; Deer Leap, Westbury-sub-Mendip; Blackmoor Reserve, Charterhouse-on-Mendip; Cothelstone Hil; Beckery Chapel site, Glastonbury; Nyland Hill, Draycott; Glass Cone, Bridgwater.