THE childhood home of one of the region’s most historically important women has been named as of the top ten most endangered buildings in the country.

A campaign to save the Redcar home of legendary explorer and diplomat Getrude Bell was launched in June.

Now the Victorian Society has named the 1868-built, Grade II*-listed building and former hotel named Red Barns as one of the nation’s most imperilled important buildings.

Gertrude Bell, who lived from 1868 to 1926, played a key real in the creation of modern-day Iraq and had a significant impact on the Middle East at the end of the First World War when new borders were established.

Red Barns, which stands in the heart of Redcar, was designed by acclaimed 19th Century architect Philip Webb and is one of the most important remaining examples of Arts and Crafts architecture in the region. It was most recently been used as a hotel but is now derelict.

A campaign by Redcar people called Save Red Barns who also want to create a small museum or other community resource in the derelict building was launched in June and won the backing of academics and the town’s MP, Anna Turley. The possibility of turning the building into flats has been raised by developers.

Now The Victorian Society hopes its inclusion on the latest list may encourage action.

A statement from the society said: “Bought by a developer after a pub at the building closed, foundations for housing have been dug in the grounds but work has not commenced. Nor have plans to convert the building into flats started. Urgent action is needed.”

Earlier this summer Ms Turley revealed the campaigners were in talks with private owners and academics at Newcastle University had also taken an interest.

Getrude Bell’s life story is being showcased at Kirkleatham Museum until January 2017 with diaries, letters, pictures and other items from her life all on display to the public.

She was once portrayed by Nicole Kidman in a film about her life. Born into a family of foundry owners at Washington New Hall in County Durham she grew up in Redcar and near Northallerton. She was the first woman ever to be awarded a first at Oxford University and founded the Iraqi Archaeological Museum. Find out more about the campaign at facebook.com/friendsofredbarns and the Victorian Society’s ‘at risk’ buildings at victoriansociety.org.uk