TEENAGE apprentice Liam Walker is following a proud family tradition – by becoming the fourth generation to start a career in Cumbrian slate.

Liam has won a stonemason apprenticeship at Coniston Stonecraft, which is supplied by Burlington Slate, in Kirkby-in-Furness

More than half a century ago, his great granddad started work at Burlington, later followed by his granddad. His father is still a health and safety officer at the quarry.

Now Liam is the first apprentice stonemason to be taken on by Stonecraft at its workshop is on the slopes of Coniston Old Man.

“My family are over the moon,” the 17-year-old said. “I’ve only been there a few days, but it’s a very traditional workshop – the kind of place you want to buy into.

“It’s brilliant what they do with slate and the way that they do it. I really enjoy it. It’s very impressive.”

The former Ulverston Victoria School pupil spent last year studying agricultural engineering at Newton Rigg College in Penrith.

But when he saw the stonemason apprenticeship advertised he jumped at the chance.

Mr Walker said: “During the summer I was working on my family’s small holding – muck-spreading, shifting bales and looking after our horse.

“But now I’m really enjoying the apprenticeship and would like to think there will be a career for me in slate, as a stonemason.”

All four generations of the youngster's family live in the tiny hamlet of Paradise, near Askam-in-Furness.

“It’s a great name and a fantastic place to live,” he said.

“My grandad lives with us and my great granddad and great nan live next door but one. We love it.”