The award recognises the work that has taken place in the national park to help reduce the number of scheduled monuments at risk from 17 in 2001 to just two in 2008.

The prize is part of the first phase of the Heritage At Risk scheme which has been set up to find buildings which are most at threat of neglect, decay or inappropriate change.

The first annual report, which was launched at the start of this month, assessed how much of the country's heritage was at risk, where it is, what is threatening it and what can be done to save it.

The Peak District National Park Authority beat off competition from more than 400 local authorities and national parks in England to land the top prize, which was presented at a ceremony in London last week.

Pauline Beswick, member and historic environment champion for the Peak District authority, said: "This award is a real honour.

''It is the result of teamwork by staff and members in the authority, working with local communities, landowners and managers, owners of buildings and our partner organisations, including English Heritage, Natural England and the National Trust.

Contribution

"By working together we have been able to achieve things that individually were beyond our reach and make a lasting contribution to the cultural heritage of the area and the nation as a whole."

Among the achievements that led to the Peak District National Park Authority gaining the award are Pilsbury Castle, which was bought in 1999, the Lead Rakes Project and the restoration of Calver Weir.

Digging up a piece of history

Children and adults were given the chance to become archaeologists for the day during a dig at Bakewell's Old House Museum.

The event on Saturday took place on the remains of a decayed Georgian cottage and included a talk by expert Jan Stetka.