A HERITAGE site in Maryport has been given a boost that will help it open to the public.

A Culture Recovery grant of £159,000 has been awarded to the Cultura Trust to support work to prepare the World Heritage Roman archaeology site and 19th century model farm for public access.

The historic farm, which has traces of Maryport’s Roman history buried beneath, will become a visitor attraction in line with the nearby Senhouse Roman Museum.

Cultura Trust director Graham Bell said: “We’re doing as much as we can before March so that we can safely bring the public on site.”

Works will involve changes to the path leading up to the farm from Netherhall to make it suitable for visitors.

The existing farm buildings will be converted into classroom and workshop spaces teach skills and the history of the site.

Contractor Border Hydro Limited is tackling the stabilisation works on the farmstead buildings.

“Lockdown has shown how important it is to be able to get fresh air, so we see the future of Camp Farm helping everyone to be involved in a range of learning opportunities with real climate action benefits.”

It is hoped Camp Farm will also become an asset to the community. Mr Bell said: “What does this mean for the people of Maryport? We’ve registered as a care farm.

“If someone said ‘I really need a break, what have you got?’ we should be able to say ‘you can come here’."

Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes said: “It is for a better quality of life for people who have those disabilities.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s chief executive, said: “It is heartening to see grants, both large and small, from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund helping heritage sites and organisations across the country which have been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19.”

Cultura is working with Senhouse Roman Museum to develop a community photogrammetry project where volunteers are trained to aim make a 3D model of the museum.

“These grants range from giving skilled craft workers the chance to keep their trades alive to helping heritage organisations pay the bills, and to kick-starting repair works at our best-loved historic sites. The funding is an essential lifeline for our heritage and the people who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all, so that we can hand it on to future generations.”