The winners of the inaugural English Heritage Angel Awards have been announced at a gala ceremony hosted by television presenter Clare Balding at The Palace Theatre in London.

Other personalities including Graham Norton, Michael Winner and Danielle Hope helped to present accolades to individuals and groups who have worked to preserve local heritage.

Six winners were chosen from a 16-strong shortlist by a judging panel chaired by Andrew Lloyd Webber and comprising English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley.

The winners were:

- Westenhanger Castle and Medieval Barns for the best craftsmanship employed in a heritage rescue in the repair of Smythe Barn at Westenhanger, Kent

- The Friends of Pleasley Pit for the best rescue of an industrial building or site at Pleasley Colliery in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

- Left Bank Leeds for the best rescue of a historic place of worship at the former church of St Margaret of Antioch in Leeds

- The National Trust with the City of Bath College and Nimbus Conservation for the collective rescue of Tyntesfield Orangery, Somerset, which picked up an award as the Telegraph subscribers' and English Heritage members' favourite

- Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust and Bristol City Council, which along with The St Stephen's Restoration and Preservation Trust were joint winners of the best rescue of any other entry from the Heritage at Risk Register for work at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, and St Stephen's Rosslyn Hill, London, respectively

Details: www.english-heritage.org.uk