AN 18TH-century Lake District bank barn is one of the first buildings in the country to benefit from a new restoration grant pilot.

The Grade II listed building in Longsleddale, which dates back to 1741, has been brought back into use thanks to roof, wall and joinery repairs as well as new weather protections.

The facelift has come via the £8m Historic Building Restoration Grant pilot, a partnership scheme between organisations including Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency.

Rose Lord, strategy and partnership advisor with the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “Traditional farm buildings are an integral part of our working landscape and this scheme recognises the significant heritage value that these types of buildings have for Lake District communities and which are also so very important for our World Heritage Site status.

“This particular project has resulted in a Grade II listed bank barn being brought back into use and with regular maintenance the building can continue to be used by many generations to come.”

Responsibility for restoration of the barn belonged to Ravenstonedale-based building contractors TA Law and Alston-based architecture firm Countryside Consultants. A number of other sites in the Lake District are also set to be updated.

Rural affairs and biosecurity minister Lord Gardiner said: “This pilot is a wonderful initiative to help bring historic buildings back to life for future generations.

“Many of the historic stone barns scattered throughout our national parks have fallen out of use, despite being perfectly situated to provide shelter for livestock or store feed. I look forward to seeing how this funding will be spent to revitalise these buildings.”