Trust takes ownership of headland

The trust's initial work will take two years to complete

The National Trust has become the new owner of one of Cornwall's most beautiful headlands.

Carrick District Council passed ownership and care of St Agnes Head as well as nearby Trevellas Coombe to the conservation trust on Wednesday.

St Agnes Head is home to important wildlife and archaeology dating back to pre-historic times.

The trust will now undertake extensive restoration and improvement work at both sites.

'Wealth of wildlife'

The council said it made the decision to hand the land over to the Trust so it can benefit from "enhanced management and promotion, whilst enabling public access and enjoyment of the areas to continue".

Phil Dyke from the National Trust said: "We are most grateful to Carrick District Council and members of the St Agnes Parish Council and St Agnes Local Improvements Committee for making these two acquisitions possible.

"The coast around St Agnes is some of Cornwall's finest, containing a wealth of wildlife and historic features enjoyed by many thousands of people each year."

Trevellas Coombe is rich in industrial archaeology and provides access to a popular beach cove.

The trust's initial work will take two years to complete and will involve putting overhead cables underground to improve the view as well as restoration of the coastguard lookout.