Wildflowers, insects and birds have taken over the stretch of coastline between Whitehaven and St Bees, replacing what was once mining soil.

People of the community have spent the past 10 years breathing new life into Haig Colliery, with the help of conservation organisations, and the former industrial portion of coastline is now a haven for wildlife.

Those lending a helping hand throughout the last decade include organisations of the Colourful Coast Partnership; the National Trust, Land Trust, Copeland Borough Council, Cumbria County Council and the RSPB.

Chris Gomersall, National Trust's Whitehaven Coast Ranger, commented on the Heritage Coast's makeover, and said: "Since 2008 we have been actively managing this post-industrial landscape, encouraging wildflowers and coastal heath that was already starting to reclaim the site. At this time of the year, and as far as the eye can see, there is a meadow of wildflowers, kidney vetch and bee orchid, followed by red bartsia and heather and grass vetchling a local rarity – it's an incredible sight."

He continued, explaining the positive outcome from the project: "The wildflowers attract insects which in turn attract birds. There are over-wintering barnacle geese and swans and, in spring, there's a colony of Jackdaws.

"We also get red shank, oystercatcher and cormorants along with starlings, herring gulls and the rarer grey partridge or gold finch. The old mine buildings provide homes for kestrel and barn owls too and during the summer swallows swoop and skim the meadows for food."

Colourful Coast Project Officer, Sophie Badrick, said: "We are 10 years into a 25 year management agreement, and lots of people are dedicated to looking after this very important stretch of coastline. That involves everything from regular beach cleans to butterfly surveys, bird disturbance monitoring, wildflower restoration at the local quarry, and running training days or guided walks to encourage local people to explore this space more."

Tomorrow (Friday, August 3), volunteers will also put the finishing touches to a five year conservation project to restore a historic sandstone wall along the Ravenhill track – a remnant of the mining industry. In the last three years, over 20 people have spent 1000 hours making lime mortar from 20 tonnes of sand, used to fix 10 tonnes of imported stone, and bring a section of the wall back to full height.

And the work has not gone unnoticed. In July, the National Trust won the Land Trust's Nature Space of the Year award, beating 50 other sites around the country, and Area Ranger Chris Gomersall was runner up in their 'Ranger of the Year' category. Locals are also recognised, being shortlisted for Best Community Group, with long-term volunteer John Jackson being shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year.

For more information, including tips on how to get involved, visit www.facebook.com/whitehavencoast.