Paving their way to success were people on a heritage technique course as part of a £1.35m scheme.

Over five years, the THI partnership will restore old buildings and bring commercial and residential space back into use in Whitehaven.

It has contributed to the flagship YMCA building, which is being fully restored into a ‘Foyer’ by Howgill and Impact Housing, providing services and accommodation for vulnerable young people.

A recent course saw members of the public have a go at learning how to lay the distinctive square stones in the setting of the YMCA building.

Coun Lena Hogg, Copeland’s deputy mayor and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “It is great to see people interested in these aspects of construction. Whitehaven is historic and unique – which means it’s important to retain these skills. Some participants may even have older homes themselves and be able to use the skills in repairing them.

"The Townscape Heritage Project has been a real success and we are seeing some impressive changes in that part of town.”

The Townscape Heritage Initiative is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£660,000); Britain’s Energy Coast (a legacy project using funding from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) (£395,000) Copeland Borough Council (£250,000) and the Copeland Area Committee of Cumbria County Council (£50,000).