NEWTON Abbot Civic Society has launched its Restoration Campaign by identifying two items of the town's heritage at greatest risk. Back in March, the public were encouraged to nominate historic features they would most like to see saved, capitalising on the popularity of the BBC television Restoration series, fronted by Griff Rhys Jones. Now the society has come up with 25 items considered at risk, or which have disappeared but could be replaced with replicas. Top of the list is 24-26 Wolborough Street, the former Seymour Horwell Volvo dealership, which may be demolished to make for the Wolborough Street redevelopment. 'They are a fine pair of 18th century town houses. Everyone seems to be proceeding on the basis that they are quite happy for them to be pulled down. They are perfectly useable in their present form,' said Michael Martyn of the civic society. He is worried that by being kept empty the buildings are deteriorating, when they could be put to commercial use. 'My concern, in the meantime, is that there could be a disastrous fire or some other accident.' The other treasure they want to see returned is the St Leonard's Chapel screen, possibly Tudor, believed to be lying in pieces in a builder's yard in Buckfastleigh. Originally, as the name implies it came from St Leonard's Chapel. In Victorian times, the ornately carved 24-screen panel was moved and re-erected at Sandford Orleigh, the home of the Nile explorer Sir Samuel White Baker. In 2002, when the mansion was converted into six houses, listed consent was given for its removal, provided it was restored and returned to the Town Museum. The civic society has given priority status to four other items. These are a pair of 18th century gates removed from the Torquay Road entrance of Forde House three years ago for restoration; rusting decorative guttering on public conveniences in Courtenay Park; the neglected Victorian Porter's Lodge of what was once the Workhouse – now Newton Abbot hospital; and a pair of stone urns, which once flanked the statue of Minerva on the parapet of 2 Highweek Street, now lying in pieces in its cellar. Letters are shortly to go out to chivvy the owners into action. And Mr Martyn said the society would consider making awards to reward good examples of good practice. It looks as though it will take more than a letter to shift Teignbridge Council in whose hands the fate of several items lies. In the case of 24-26 Wolborough Street, council spokesman, David Beer, pointed out that they were unlisted 'presumably because they have never been considered of sufficient merit', although the civic society were free to apply to English Heritage for a listing if they chose. Of St Leonard's screen he said: 'It was removed prior to consent being given and although it is stored in a safe location, its future remains the subject of ongoing consideration.' As far as the Forde House gates are concerned, Mr Beer said that the council was investing heavily in essential work at Forde House. 'If the work is completed within estimates consideration will be given as to whether there are sufficient funds available to restore the gates.' The council is also owner of the public conveniences at Courtenay Park. Mr Beer said the decorative guttering had been taken down for restoration and would be replaced when complete. But he did not say when that would be. Finally, he said there were no plans to restore or replace the urns at 2 Highweek Street.