A lottery funding boost of £1.3m will be invested in essential conservation work on Hadrian's Wall.

Parts of the Roman Wall have deteriorated due to severe weather conditions, wear and tear caused by tourism, damage caused by invasive plants, and erosion by animals.

But now the National Lottery has awarded cash from its Heritage Lottery Fund for essential studies and maintenance work to be carried out.

The most at risk sections of the World Heritage site will be identified by academics at Newcastle University's school of history, classics and archaeology.

These will include Roman cemeteries, and the enigmatic earthwork known as the Vallum, which runs parallel to the wall.

The university team will enlist the help of volunteers to assess and prevent the at risk sections from deteriorating beyond repair.

The work will include a 3D survey with a terrestrial laser scanning parts of the ancient monument, to understand more about its condition. Conservation work, limited archaeological excavations and geological analysis will also be carried out.

Project leader Prof Sam Turner said: "This project will give different people interested in the wall and its landscape the chance to work together.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity - thanks in part to National Lottery players - to take practical steps that will help conserve the wall and better understand our shared heritage."

The three-year initiative will start in 2018 conclude in 2021, but it is hoped trained volunteers will continue its work.

Ivor Crowther, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: "What stands out about these proposals is Newcastle University's belief that local communities should be central to the management of the area.

"We know that people look after places that they love and with this crucial support from the National Lottery we hope that there will be a much greater understanding of Hadrian's Wall and the ancient stories and surprises that it continues to throw up."

Those surprises this year have included part of a fourth century Roman bathhouse – along with scores of brilliantly preserved artefacts - within the grounds of Carlisle's Edenside Cricket Club.

They included Roman coins, pottery and the remains of the complex’s sophisticated under-floor heating system.

Experts believe that the building was used by the elite, 1,000-strong Ala Petriana cavalary unit that was based at Stanwix and was a key part of defending the Roman Empire’s most northerly frontier.

Cumbrian construction tycoon Fred Story, owner of Story Contracting and Story Homes, was so impressed that he stumped up £20,000 to help fund a second dig.

Volunteers are being sought to help the dig and register their interest via register their interest via Carlisle Cricket Club’s website – www.carlislecricketclub.co.uk/the-dig/