WHITEHAVEN is set to benefit from a huge cash boost for two projects in the town.

Money is coming from the government and a bank to repair the town’s lighthouses and support vulnerable young mothers.

A grant of £39,700 will be used to repair and protect the19th century lighthouses at the entrance to Whitehaven harbour.

The successful bid, from the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, was granted from a pot of £1m government money. The Coastal Revival Fund aims to help restore landmarks and bring economic growth to communities in coastal areas.

Work on the lighthouses will begin next year.

Celia MacKenzie, chief executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said: “This is wonderful news for the two iconic lighthouses on Whitehaven’s harbour entrance. With a pot of nearly £40,000, we will be able to bring these two beautiful buildings back to their former glory.

“We have strong community, partner and stakeholder support for the work we do in investing into Whitehaven Harbour projects.

“This is a wonderful result of the hard work that goes into these projects.”

Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, said: “I am delighted that the funding for the Whitehaven lighthouses project has been agreed. The lighthouses are an iconic aspect of our harbourside and it’s extremely welcome news that they will be renovated and brought back into use. This is another important step in the regeneration of Whitehaven and the harbour.”

Whitehaven Community Trust, which provides safe housing for vulnerable young mothers, has been awarded £70,389 from Lloyds Bank Foundation.

The charity is the only provider of specialist support in the area, running a mother and baby hostel to help women in tough circumstances and who have experienced domestic violence get back on their feet. With the help of the grant, Whitehaven Community Trust will be able to increase its opening hours and offer more support to help mothers live safe, independent lives.

The charity offers a range of support services to young mothers including helping them develop skills such as budgeting and DIY, or parenting skills such as feeding and changing, to help equip them with the confidence they need to live independently and break the negative cycle of teenage pregnancy.

Kerry Maxwell, chief executive of The Whitehaven Community Trust said: “I am absolutely thrilled and so grateful that we have received the funding. It will enable us to provide a more holistic, wrap-around support service to the young vulnerable women and their babies. The funding will also enable us to employ at least two more local people. I’m looking forward to working in partnership with the foundation. I can’t thank them enough. It’s amazing.”