EXPERTS have voiced fears that climbers could be damaging important prehistoric rock art in pursuit of their sport, reports Lisa Frascarelli.

The rock carvings at Copt Howe, Chapel Stile - believed to have been created between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago - were discovered in 1999.

But Dr Aron Mazel, research associate in the school of historical studies at the University of Newcastle, believes climbers are damaging the significant site.

"These are prehistoric rock carvings which are very interesting. The risk with people climbing all over them is that they will cause long-term damage to the carvings. The weather erodes the carvings but the climbers are just speeding this process up."

The volcanic boulder at Chapel Stile is engraved with a number of carvings that include concentric rings, linear and rectangular markings, cup marks and a pecked triangle.

Dr Mazel, who took pictures of climbers on the rocks only a few months ago, added: "We do not know exactly what they are but it is thought they could be route markers.

"They are certainly symbolic possibly they symbolise people's relationship to nature because they are from around the time people moved from being hunters and gatherers to farmers and pasteurers."

He added: "These marking are quite unique and, in terms of rock carvings, they are very important. Something should be done to protect them."

Deputy chief executive of the British Mountaineering Council Nick Colton said: "In these kind of cases, we try to negotiate with the interested parties and come to some agreement where all parties are happy."

He said that although he had not come across the Chapel Stile case, the BMC had a site protection policy which was often used to protect nesting birds and rare vegetation.

He added that Dr Mazel should contact the BMC so an investigation could be carried out to assess the situation and try to reach some agreement.