ONE of the region's foremost architecture experts last night called for several of the North-East's best-known buildings to be considered for listed status.

Among the more surprising candidates put forward by retired Durham University academic Douglas Pocock were Durham's County Hall - the six-storey block built in 1963 as a home for Durham County Council - and Dunelm House, the concrete home of Durham University's Students' Union.

Mr Pocock, honorary secretary of the City of Durham Trust, made the comments during an illustrated lecture on the city's listed buildings, present and future, delivered at Alington House last night.

Famed across the world for its Norman castle and cathedral, Durham city centre is home to about 600 listed buildings and a further 250 in the wider district.

Mr Pocock suggested a number of buildings in the city suitable for listed status, including St Aidan's and Trevelyan College, the chapel of Durham Crematorium and the chapel of Durham School.

Among modern buildings Mr Pocock said could become candidates for listing, once they have achieved the required 30 years of age, are the chapel at St Anthony's Priory, in Claypath, built in 1991, and Millennium Place, in 2002.

But he also reserved scathing criticism for several buildings, which he said could be candidates for tax incentives to encourage demolition - Millburngate House, Prince Bishops Centre, Elvet Riverside and the former ice rink.