BRITAIN, which has long marketed itself to tourists as a treasure trove of monuments, is preparing to stop nominations to the United Nations list of the most important historic sites in the world.

The change of policy follows indications that Unesco, the UN body that monitors world heritage sites, believes Britain has its fair share. There are 24, ranging from Durham cathedral to the Palace of Westminster and neolithic Orkney.

Unesco wants instead to concentrate on the developing world and promote the preservation of habitats such as deserts, jungles, Arctic tundra, grasslands and wetlands.

“We are set to call time on further listings,” said a senior government source.