TWO conservation experts who between them have been at the forefront of the fight to preserve York’s unique heritage for decades have been honoured with the York Civic Trust’s highest award.

City archaeologist John Oxley and City of York Council conservation architect Janine Riley were jointly awarded the annual Lord Mayor’s Award at the trust’s annual meeting at the National Centre for early Music on Wednesday.

The award was presented to Mr Oxley by Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Taylor.

Mr Oxley has been city archaeologist for almost 30 years, using his knowledge of York’s past to advise the council on planning strategy and to warn about the possible impact of specific plans on irreplaceable archaeological deposits.

As the council’s conservation architect, Janine Riley has been on the front line of conservation for more than ten years, commenting on the significance of every planning and listed building consent application which affects the historic fabric of the city.

Civic Trust chairman Andrew Scott said the pair were “the unsung heroes who have done more than anybody else to conserve the heritage of the city.”

Mr Oxley, he said, was “a fount of wisdom and knowledge on the city, and has also been exceptionally active in promoting archaeological and historical research and in promoting public engagement in archaeology and history”.

Janine Riley, he added, had a “well-earned reputation for being positive, collaborative and creative, and is known for understanding what a developer is trying to achieve, and suggesting ways that their objectives can be met while not damaging - and even enhancing - the historic fabric of our city”.

The Lord Mayor’s Award was inaugurated by former Lord Mayor Cllr Ian Gillies, and was awarded for the first time in June 2015 to June Hargreaves.