A Lake District craft company has partnered with a high street stalwart to sell Cumbrian slate works nationwide.

Coniston Stonecraft has joined forces with Timpson to produce their products.

The pieces, created in a Victorian workshop on the slopes of Coniston Old Man, are made from the blue-grey slate quarried at Kirkby Moor in South Cumbria.

In Cumbria: One of the pieces produced by Coniston stonecraftOne of the pieces produced by Coniston stonecraft (Image: Coniston stonecraft)

Stonecraft owner, Brendan Donnelly, said: "We're so proud that such a hugely respected British brand has recognised both the quality of our craftsmanship and the value of our Cumbrian heritage".

The arrangement was facilitated after Timpson's operations director, Alan Foster, visited the Stonecraft workshops and was so impressed he placed an order for polished pieces that have various potential uses.

Mr Donnelly added: "Like everyone else Timpsons is trying increase its local content and reduce its carbon footprint, so having trophies manufactured here in the Lake District, by local craftspeople, using traditional skills passed down through generations makes perfect sense".

Compared to Chinese slate, which has a CO2 footprint of 438 kg per tonne, Cumbrian slate only has a footprint of 31 kg per tonne, making local manufacturing the most environmentally friendly choice.

Stonecraft pieces are due to go on sale in selected Timpson and Max Spielman outlets later this year.