DURHAM Castle could cash in from a Pop Idol-type television show aimed at supporting the country's crumbling architectural treasures.

A new BBC2 series will highlight the plight of some of Britain's most threatened and important historic assets.

Restoration, to be screened next year, will raise interest in endangered buildings and help to raise funds to save at risk structures.

Viewers will be invited to vote for their favourite building in need of repair and the prize pot will be awarded to the winner.

News of the show was revealed by English Heritage chief executive Dr Simon Thurley, as he launched its fifth annual register of historic buildings considered at risk.

Dr Thurley said English Heritage has spent £22m in the past five years on at-risk buildings, but he said £400m would be needed to save them all.

He cited Durham Castle, along with Brighton Pier and London Zoo's gorilla house as just some of the famous buildings needing urgent funding.

The castle is one of the 131 at-risk heritage sites in the North-East. It is deemed to be suffering "slow decay".

The 11th Century castle, formerly home to the powerful bishops of Durham, has been a university college since 1837.