A blacksmith says he is looking forward to taking people of all ages on a trip back in time after being given permission to create a replica Viking longhouse.

David Watson, who lives in Greengill, near Aspatria, has already created a Viking forge and workshop area at his home – but says that the addition of the longhouse will allow him to teach a wider range of skills to visitors to the planned attraction.

The 55-year-old, who worked for British Steel in Workington as a blacksmith after leaving school, told the News & Star that the longhouse will measure 18m by 5m.

“It’ll be made in a very traditional style – from timber with a turf roof,” he said. “I’ve already built a forge and a workshop area after getting funding from the Cumbria Community Foundation and what I’m hoping to do is create a little farmstead.

“Once I’ve got all three buildings in place then I’ll have more room to teach.

“Anything that’s not based on being a blacksmith, I’d want to bring people in to be able to teach as well.”

After leaving British Steel, David worked at Sellafield as a fabricator and welder for 17 years.

For the past few years, he has been self-employed.

He added that having been given planning permission for the addition of the longhouse, he is hoping to work alongside local schools.

“I’ve already been in contact with the Helena Thompson Museum in Workington,” he said.

“They’ve been helpful and hopefully they will be able to help me get involved with schools.”

But David said that once it has been built, the longhouse will be open to everyone.

“I’m hoping to put on weekend events where people can come for a few days and learn some new skills,” he explained.

“While a lot of traditional blacksmith skills have disappeared, there has been some resurgence from artists who are using them to create ornate pieces.

“Following on from that, it’d be good to move into making things like willow baskets as well.

“I’m not doing this because I’ve got a really keen interest in the Viking period myself, but more so because it’s the most relevant time period where these skills were really at their peak, so it’d be good to do it in that sort of environment.

“The other thing is that although a lot of people know about Cumbria’s Roman heritage, there isn’t so much about what the Vikings did when they were in the area, in fact some people might not know much at all.”

The application has also drawn the support of the parish council. A letter submitted by clerk Trevor Gear to Allerdale Council during the consultation process said: “Gilcrux parish council supports the application and consider it will be an asset for the parish.”