Inverclyde"s Roman heritage could be joining the Great Wall of China and Egypt"s pyramids on a prestigious list of the world"s top historical visitor attractions, according to Scotland"s Culture Minister.

A Roman fort at Lurg Moor, above Greenock, was part of the Antonine Wall and served as a look-out point.

Louie Pastore, 44, of Gourock, wrote to Patricia Ferguson, minister for culture, tourism and sport, to request that the fort be included in a new World Heritage Site being created around the main part of the Antonine Wall.

Louie has been campaigning for years to get the fort better recognition. He even made a 3D computer replica to send to Channel 4"s Time Team programme.

Ms Ferguson"s office have now written to Louie stating: 'It is possible to expand World Heritage Sites and, if our current bid is successful and significant new evidence came to light, we would be able to consider possible extension of it at a future date.' Louie said: 'I knew they had to stick to a finite area but it is possible that they can take it into consideration at a later date and that is positive news.' The main concern Louie has about the Lurg Moor site and the two forts at Bishopton and Largs, as well as the Roman road that connects them, is that people do not know enough about them.

He is worried that new development, pipe-laying and the possibility of wind farms could damage the ancient sites.

Vincent Gillen, social history curator at the McLean Museum in Greenock, said: 'The significance of a Roman fort in Greenock is quite high.' World Heritage Sites include the Colosseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Greece and the Statue of Liberty in New York.