A NEW TV series is to shine a spotlight on local heroes fighting to preserve some of the region’s finest historical assets.

BBC show Britain's Heritage Heroes will hit screens on February 6 – looking at the people behind important restoration projects in places as diverse as Smardale Gill Viaduct and Lowther Castle, near Penrith.

Presenters John Craven and Jules Hudson spent weeks filming in the region, capturing the stories behind people’s efforts to save Cumbria’s historic homes, last wildernesses and industrial landscapes.

Describing his time at Lowther Castle, Mr Hudson said: “Every now and then a project comes along that is such an amazing investment in time, energy and talent. Lowther Castle is an enormous undertaking and now it has a future, thanks to an incredible group of people.

“I was bowled over by their incredible skills and the mindset hey all had about this project.”

The series will run nightly for three weeks starting on Monday, February 6 and show five restoration projects per episode.

The first two shows feature a mixture of projects from Cumbria and Northumberland and includes Nenthead Mine, near Alston, Smardale Gill Viaduct near Kirkby Stephen, Lowther Castle, Dalemain House – also near Penrith – and Brougham Hall.

Mr Hudson added: “Smardale Gill Viaduct is a fantastic example of a man-made structure that is actually a romantic part of the landscape and geography of the region.

“There is so much beauty in Victorian creations and it is just brilliant that it is being preserved.”