A group of volunteers has helped preserve some of Ilkley Moor’s ancient past for future generations.

On Tuesday, the volunteers worked with experts from English Heritage to repair the Trig Point Cairn and help minimise “erosion and inadvertent vandalism” being caused at the site.

The remains of the cairn are probably 4,500 to 5,000 years old and are believed to be the burial place of a local leader.

But the cairn is judged to be at high risk on the English Heritage at risk register, and it is hoped the repairs will help conserve the scheduled ancient monument for years to come.

During the last couple of centuries, stones from the cairn have been taken to build the moorland walls as well as the modern walkers’ cairn, which has appeared on top of it.

This modern cairn will be dismantled and its stones replaced in one of the old quarry pits.

The site has also suffered from erosion over the years, as the moor is a popular spot for walkers and cyclists.

Now a new path has been built by the Bradford Countryside Service around the site to minimise the damage, and the erosion on the cairn mound has been repaired. An information plaque, paid for by the Friends of Ilkley Moor, has also been put up, explaining the significance of the site.

Yvonne Luke, historic environment field advisor for English Heritage, said: “It’s great that we’re able to work with local volunteers to repair the Trig Point Cairn.

“It’s one of a number of important prehistoric sites on Ilkley Moor which are suffering from erosion and inadvertent vandalism.

“It is vital that we are able to maintain it and make sure generations of visitors can come and appreciate its significance.”

Owen Wells, chairman of the Friends, said: “We’re delighted that people who already enjoy everything Ilkley Moor has to offer will be able to appreciate Trig Point Cairn.

“Hundreds of people walk past the monument every year and now they’ll be able to stop and learn more about this landscape’s ancient past.”