LONDON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- An appeal was launched Thursday to save guns and cannons, some centuries old, that have protected Englands coastline from enemy invaders.
Many of the guns at castles and forts around the coast are being attacked not be enemies, but the forces of nature.
Culture custodians English Heritage has launched a public appeal for around 70,000 U.S. dollars to pay for the weapons to be restored.
The main focus of the Save Our Cannons campaign are two 18th-century guns at Etal Castle in Northumberland and World War Two anti-aircraft guns at Dover Castle in Kent and along the English Channel coast at Pendennis Castle near Falmouth.
English Heritage says the historic guns, once a key part of England's fortifications, are now at serious risk.
Bethan Stanley from English Heritage said: "Our cannons are precious objects, vital alongside our castles and fortifications in telling the story of England as an island nation.
"Coastal guns are regularly battered by strong winds blowing corrosive moisture and salt spray over them. Untreated they can corrode 20 times faster than those just a mile or so inland."
The deteriorating guns are part of a collection of 400 cannon, carriages and historic guns looked after by English Heritage.
Others include a 7.3 meter-long Pocket Pistol, capable of firing 121 millimeter cannonballs, at Dover Castle which was a gift to King Henry VIII in 1544, and Roaring Meg at Goodrich Castle in Herefordshire; built in 1646 and a survivor of the English Civil Wars.
The money will go towards the cost of removing corrosion, repainting and replacing parts of the guns that are no longer serviceable.
