A CONISTON businessman is giving a ‘helping land’ to Cumbrian causes.

Phil Johnston, owner of The Coppermines and Lakes Cottages, is inviting charities and groups to use one of his fields as a fundraising car park.

Right in the centre of the village next to the Ruskin Museum, the land can be used for a limited number of days to top-up the funds of those who need it most.

The Coniston Christmas Lights Committee were the first to benefit from the generosity, and raised £350 one Saturday recently.

Member Heather Troughton, of Coniston said: “It will make a massive difference to us because it will cost about £3,000 to put on the lights this year, so this was an easy way to make money and a great amount for us.”

It was hearing about the lights committee which sparked Mr Johnston to offer use of the field.

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