AN innovative project to boost the local economy through celebrating local culture, arts and heritage has received a cash boost.

A sum of £1.34m has been given to South Lakeland and Craven district councils to work together to help strengthen heritage initiatives and key festivals.

It is hoped the Great Place: Crossing the Watersheds project will attract and retain young people and businesses to the area by supporting and developing creative and cultural opportunities.

Cllr Chris Hogg, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Culture and Wellbeing, originally encouraged the two councils to promote a partnership bid.

“This funding is excellent news for South Lakeland and Craven. It has been a long journey and something I've been determined we should be leading the way on," said Cllr Hogg.

“Our commitment links this new programme with our Cultural Destination success, our existing partnerships with our national portfolio organisations, and our support for the World Heritage Site bid and the creative industries. It is at the centre of what makes South Lakeland a great place to live, work and explore."

The project will be focused on the rural corridor linking Skipton in the south and Grasmere in the north, extending into both the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National parks - both of which were involved in the bid.

Existing flagship heritage initiatives will be strengthened, including Skipton Town Hall and Craven Museum and Gallery, Stories in Stone, Lakes Culture, Windermere Jetty, Re-imagining Wordsworth, and Lakes Alive, which organises Mintfest in Kendal.

The project will carry out research to define what is culturally important to the area, how economic activity can be generated and how a younger workforce can be attracted to stay or move to the areas.

Sarah Maxfield, area director north at Arts Council England, said: “The Great Place Scheme intends to put culture at the heart of local communities.

"The funding we are investing through this scheme in towns, cities and rural areas across the North will bring both economic and social benefits."

Cllr Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “New ways of working, new business models and new creative businesses will benefit all members of our rural communities. We need to retain and bring in a new, younger generation with fresh ideas, to add value to our economy inspired by our great natural, heritage and cultural assets.

“Culture and creativity can act as a catalyst for change and attract younger people to this amazing area we live in.”