FOUR Dorset hillforts are no longer deemed 'at risk' thanks to work undertaken to protect them.

As part of the National Trust's Hillforts and Habitats project, and an award of £114,000 from Historic England, four Dorset hillforts - Pilsdon Pen, Lambert's Castle and Coney's Castle in west Dorset, and Hod Hill near Blandford, have been removed from the Heritage at Risk register.

The project has also seen improvements made to 13 iron age hillforts and 820 acres of archaeology and priority habitat.

Found across many of the high points of Dorset, these earthwork structures date back some 2,000 years and tell us how and why our ancestors lived in hilltop locations.

Read more: National Trust work on Dorset hillforts

Marie McLeish, the National Trust's project manager, said: "Hillforts are special places to visit, where you can experience and observe nature throughout the seasons."

The success of the hillforts and habitats project is due to the commitment of the 'Hillfort Hero' volunteers and ranger teams who worked through all weathers monitoring surveys for archaeology and undertook the scrub and rough grassland management and erosion repair works.

National Trust archaeologist, Dr Martin Papworth said: "The news that these wonderful places are now in fine condition is a great outcome for all those who have worked together to deliver the National Trust's exemplar Hillforts and Habitats Project.

Read more: National Trust awarded £800,000 to restore Iron Age hillforts in Dorset

"Now visitors can see and better appreciate the ancient qualities of these high fortress settlements while enjoying nature and panoramic landscapes that surround them.''

National Trust volunteer Sue Hillier said: "The joy of the hillforts comes from being with like-minded people in such special places with spectacular views, hearing the skylarks, admiring the cowslips and feeling we are doing something worthwhile.''

Historic England partnerships team leader John Ette said: "One of the best collaborative projects Historic England and the National Trust have achieved in the southwest.

"Great management and people skills have inspired great confidence with a project that was complex with many twists and turns. It has continued to inspire as well as created new confidences on what we can achieve together."