CHATHAM'S Historic Dockyard has been hailed as an example of how restoration can trigger an economic revival. The site was mentioned in a report by English Heritage in partnership with other heritage groups.

The State of the Historic Environment Report 2002 said the nation's historic remains were under threat from lack of money and other problems such as unsympathetic development.

But the report also found that conservation brought social, economic and environmental benefits, such as at the dockyard, and that history and heritage have never been so popular.

The Heritage Lottery Fund, working with Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, had supported projects to rescue, restore and improve the buildings and ships, the report said.

The restoration programme had kick-started an economic revival on the site, attracting new businesses and many more visitors.