AN unprepossessing set of twigs on the side of a Grade II-listed building could be given special protection after calls to put a tree preservation order on the plant, believed to be part of a vine dating back more than 200 years.

The plant is on the side of Vine House in Northallerton, part of the historic Rutson Hospital site which closed several years ago and is due to be redeveloped possibly as a pub and restaurant.

In 1789 it was reported that Vine House had the largest vine in England with a trunk almost four feet wide and foliage extending over 137 yards across the building.

Photographs taken in 1934 show the plant extending over moist of the front of the hospital and while the present vine is a shadow of its old self there is still a move to preserve it for future generations.

Former mayor of the town John Coulson said: "I just think it is our heritage that is at risk here. It is why that part of the Rutson was still called Vine House and it’s important that these things are preserved.

“It was looking quite healthy until the past few years but now the site is no longer under the control of the health authority I’m concerned the vine could easily be damaged or be pulled up by someone who doesn’t realise the historic connection.

“While there has been doubt in the past that a vine could be made the subject of a tree preservation order I now understand that it could be done."

Mr Coulson has asked the town council to request a tree preservation order for the vine when they are consulted on redevelopment plans for the site by Hambleton District Council.