A Cumbrian arts and heritage organisation is to double in size with the creation of 30 new jobs.

Lakeland Arts has launched a recruitment drive as it prepares to open an ambitious new visitor attraction, Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, later this year.

Gordon Watson, Lakeland Arts’ chief executive, said the opening of the museum marked an exciting period in the organisation's history.

He said: "The new museum will more than double the number of visitors to Lakeland Arts’ attractions and create exciting new employment opportunities.

“I’m pleased to say that the majority of these new jobs will be year round and permanent, and include a wide breadth of specialisms and levels of experience.

“This wonderful new heritage attraction has a key role in making Cumbria an attractive place to work in at a time that the Lake District enjoys its World Heritage Site status.

"The roles offered at Lakeland Arts demonstrate the quality of employment opportunities in Cumbria.”

Lakeland Arts is looking for people to work in roles including learning, estates management, visitor services, retail and catering. It also plans to work with trusts and colleges to develop apprenticeships including traditional boat making skills.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said cultural attractions played a vital part in Cumbria’s £2.9billion tourism economy and Lakeland Arts was one of the jewels in the county’s cultural heritage offer.

She said: "With the Lake District’s new World Heritage Status and increased international – as well as national – visitor focus on the area, they are a great example of an organisation which is delivering a world-class experience for visitors and maximising new opportunities for growth and innovation."

Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "Windermere Jetty will create a new, sustainable, high quality cultural attraction on Windermere’s shores, which will provide a further boost to Cumbria's excellent visitor economy.”

For more information, visit www.cn-jobs.co.uk