A SOUTH Lakeland church that has undergone major conservation work has been shortlisted for a prestigious regional award.

The grade one listed St Oswald’s Parish Church in Grasmere, which dates from 1250AD, is up for the Building Conservation accolade at the North West RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards.

The annual awards recognise exemplary built projects that are positively contributing to the region.

The major St Oswald's conservation works were led by Crosby Grainger Architects and Craftsman Restoration Ltd and involved reversing repairs undertaken in the 1890’s and 1920’s, utilising hot mixed lime mortar to re-bed, point and rough-cast the tower, successfully returning it to its former glory.

Elsewhere in the county, Sunbeams Music Centre in Penrith is in the running for the Community Benefit accolade.

The £2m bespoke music therapy run by Sunbeams Music Trust brings the ‘healing power of music’ to people of all ages with disabilities.

Those shortlisted for category awards will automatically be considered for the ‘North West Project of the Year’ title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on November 2018, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.

Chair of the RICS Awards, North West judging panel, Will Rees said: “Despite the ups and downs in the current climate, our region’s property professionals continue to deliver exemplary, and in many cases, world-class built projects that are having a profoundly positive impact on our cities and towns."

The 2018 RICS Awards, North West take place on April 27 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.