THE Lake District's link to survivors of the Holocaust is to become one of the themes of a new heritage centre.

A grant of £10,000 has been awarded to the Lake District Paradise Project from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money will contribute to a £25k consultancy project which will establish over the coming months the best ways in which to develop the centre.

Trevor Avery, Lake District Paradise Project director, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident this consultancy project will assist us in moving ahead to provide something that the local community can be proud of.

"The area's modern history is fascinating and the link to the child Holocaust survivors is unique in the UK. It is recognised at government level".

An important aspect of the initiative relates to the child Holocaust survivors who came to Windermere in 1945, and the local community which welcomed them .

From flying boat factories of two world wars through to present day Windermere, the story will cover more than 100 years of fascinating Lake District history that is of international significance.

It will take in a timeline which stretches from the early days of pioneer flight in and around Windermere, through to the Second World War Short Sunderland factory and Calgarth Estate.

The story will continue through to present-day Windermere taking in the history of the 1950s and 1960s Droomer Estate, which has a unique and hidden story to tell.

The consultancy will take place over the summer and autumn of 2017 and will see wide-ranging public consultations.

The Lake District Paradise Project will be working with county and district authorities as well as with local charities and schools including the Lakes School, which now stands on the former site of the wartime housing scheme of Calgarth Estate.