THE Archbishop of York praised the 'fantastic opportunity' BAE Systems offers in his farewell tour before retiring next year.

As first chancellor of the University of Cumbria, Dr John Sentamu toured across the county visiting BAE in Barrow, Windermere Jetty in the heart of the Lakes and Energus in Workington before finishing the trip at a youth conference at the University’s headquarters in Carlisle.

"There’s now work for 35 years to come here, that in itself is a fantastic opportunity," he said on his visit to Barrow.

“The academy will be brilliant for science and the work here.

“The partnership between Cumbria University as well as schools and the community will continue and it is wonderful to hear that this place is taking on 400 apprenticeships. Things that can’t but transfer Barrow in a very, very big way.”

A discussion was held about the state of industry, skills and education in the county.

Sam Plum, executive director of Barrow Borough Council, said after the event: “There were some really good points that were raised about pathways into careers and jobs and the need to breakdown the hierarchy in which going to university is seen as being better than other routes.”

She added: “I’ve been struck in these last few months about the potential of partnerships. The more we work in partnership with others the more we are going to be promoting that message together that Barrow is a place where it is worth living, working, visiting and putting this place back on the map.

"We should be the major centre for south Cumbria and we’re not the end of some cul-de-sac. We’re the second biggest town in Cumbria after Carlisle but Barrow doesn’t have that reputation. We want to change that together.”