The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has met around 800 listed building owners to discuss how the full potential of the province’s heritage can be realised.

Organised by NIEA in partnership with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS), the Owner's Forum is one of several key initiatives including enhanced grant aid for listed buildings announced by the former Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, at a conference in May.

The forum will give owners a chance to raise issues with the department and to provide information to this key group.

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NIEA Built Heritage Director Michael Coulter said: "We believe that more informed owners are better placed to realise the full potential of our heritage.

"We hope that this event will increase owner's awareness of why these buildings are protected and of the services this Agency offers - including grant aid- to help them manage this legacy appropriately.

"The event also provides us with an invaluable opportunity to get feedback from an important stakeholder group on our work."

Mr Coulter added: "The overall response to this event has been very welcome and unprecedented and we hope to run more of these events in the future."

UAHS 'Home & Dry' Chairperson, Primrose Wilson, said: "The Society has been organising information days for owners of historic buildings since 2001.

"Under the banner 'Home and Dry', these informal sessions have attracted hundreds of participants from Donegal to Armagh and Antrim to Down.

"We are delighted to assist the Agency in delivering this highly popular event in Ballymena," added Ms Wilson.

(PR/JM)