A POPULAR South Lakeland attraction has received a major cash injection and is set to expand – creating new jobs.

Lakeland Climbing Centre in Kendal has won £220,000 from private capital investors and is set to install three new indoor features — CrazyClimb, Via Ferrata and Toolbox.

The centre already boasts the tallest indoor climbing wall in the country.

Kate Phillips, managing director of the centre, said: “We are very pleased to be widening the scope of what we can offer. There really is something for everyone here to have a go at and have a great experience.”

Opening in spring, CrazyClimb is set to have its own dedicated space at the Kendal Wall.

The Via Ferrata, opening this summer, is an adventure requiring no previous climbing experience as it enables visitors to explore the Kendal Wall while clipped to a safety cable.

But, for the more serious climbers, the soon to open Toolbox is an indoor dry tooling wall which simulates the mixed conditions found on Lake District crags in winter.

Richard Greenwood, Cumbria Tourism’s head of operations, said: “The enhancement of the site offers an entirely new indoor experience for visitors, which is a vital part of ensuring that people keep coming to the area. It also yet again reinforces the fact that the Lake District is the UK’s Adventure Capital, able to offer a wide range of both indoor and outdoor adventure activity for every age and ability.‘’ The investment will provide at least four full-time equivalent job, said climbing centre director Jeremy Wilson.

“Further investment in the Via Ferrata will also create additional job opportunities,” he added.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “It’s fantastic news to hear of this investment. I want to praise Kate and the whole team for their ambition and I know the centre will continue to go from strength to strength.”