£500,000 to improve Lakes paths

The improved access project will take three years

Almost £500,000 is to be spent improving paths and making it easier to get to one of the Lake District's most popular visitor attractions.

The money will be spent over the next three years improving access to Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston Estate.

The project, managed by the National Trust, has received donations totalling £485,000, including £450,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The first phase will take three months re-surfacing the path around the Tarn.

The overgrown kitchen garden will also be tackled and a new path created through the grounds and arboretum of Monk Coniston Hall.

A new public access route from the head of Coniston Water at the landings for Steam Yacht Gondola will also be created.

'People's enjoyment

The Lake District Sustainability Fund has donated £20,000 to the project and Rural Regeneration Cumbria gave £15,000.

The National Trust has taken on two new team members to join the property team at Boon Crag in Coniston - project manager Sue Ward and Jessica Worlock, community and learning officer.

They will work closely with the local community, volunteers and educational groups ensuring lots of people get involved first hand with the project.

Ms Ward said "Tarn Hows is an iconic lakeland landscape, well-known and loved by visitors and locals alike.

"This funding will give us a fantastic opportunity to improve people's enjoyment."