CONISTON’S former copper mines are set to become a tourist attraction following the award of a £450,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Coniston Copper Mines and Penny Rigg Mill occupy 57 hectares in the Lake District National Park. They will undergo extensive repairs over the next two years..

Work will begin in June with more than 150 areas in need of conservation, reconstruction or stabilisation.

Lake District strategy and partnership adviser, Eleanor Kingston, said: “This is fantastic news, not only to preserve the mining history, but also for the Coniston community.

“It’s a real opportunity for local people to get involved, connect with their heritage and contribute towards the future of this special site.”

Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said that the project would be a good opportunity to raise the profile of the sites.

She said: “Copper mining is indelibly linked to the heritage and landscape of Coniston.

“Tens of thousands of people visit every year yet few will be aware of the role the area played in the industrialisation of Britain.

“It was clear to us therefore that investing National Lottery money could make a real difference in preserving what’s left and ensuring this important history is shared much more widely.”

The mines date back to the 16th century and at their peak, in the 1800s, employed more than 600 people to extract, prepare and transport copper ore. Local people will be able to get involved in training and volunteering opportunities, including conservation and archaeological survey work.