Master plasterers led a workshop in West Cumbria to top up the skills of local tradesmen as part of a £1 million scheme.

Lee Richards and Colin Morris held the hands-on event to help Copeland plasterers learn the art of repairing and making plaster cornicing - the molding of plaster at the intersection of a wall and a ceiling.

The free two-day event in Whitehaven taught participants how to complete a straight run cornice, including finishing angles and corners by hand.

Work took place in the Little Hong Kong takeaway, in the town’s Market Place, after the owner received a partial grant to restore the building, creating two shops and two flats above.

The current tenants will move into one of the shops, while the other will be available to rent.

Copeland’s Heritage Champion Coun Michael McVeigh said: “It’s great that so many local professionals were able to update their skills through this masterclass. Both it and the ‘taster day’ were fully booked.

“This is just one of the ways in which the Townscape Heritage Initiative brings other benefits to business and the community – in addition to the buildings grants.

“These skills are a real investment in a town where so much of the built environment is historic in nature.”

The workshop was part of the Whitehaven Townscape Heritage Initiative, which will invest £1.3m over five years.

It is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Britain’s Energy Coast (using funding from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) and Copeland Borough Council.

The money is being used to help restore buildings in the James Street and Market Place area of Whitehaven, bring buildings back into use and provide heritage training and skills projects.

Plans are in place for a £70,000 European-style plaza with seating and trees.