A grant of almost £10,000 has been secured to support a project exploring the history of Carlisle’s McVitie’s biscuit factory and its renowned cracker packers.

Made possible by money raised by players of the National Lottery, the project will include the creation of a static exhibition and touring exhibition which will be displayed in various venues in Carlisle.

Artist Hazel is currently creating a bronze statue of the ladies who make the famous Carr's Table Water biscuits.

The statue will be unveiled on March 8 in Paddy's Market, off Caldewgate.

The Caldewgate art installation will have strong connections to McVitie’s and will be based close to the biscuit factory.

Privately funded, the bronze statue will depict two women workers - one from past times and one from the modern day dressed in their respective factory uniforms.

They will be standing atop a bronze Carr’s Table Water biscuit, with the distinctive Carr’s signature logo embossed into it.

Councillor Anne Quilter, for Culture, Heritage and Leisure, said: "We are thrilled to have received support thanks to National Lottery players.

"The funding will allow us to explore the stories of the Cracker Packers and will support the unveiling of Hazel's statue in March."

Tullie House Museum is key to the project and will carry out the research with former and current McVities workers.

Workshops will be held resulting in oral histories, research and an exhibition developed.

Alex Farthing, deputy director of Tullie House, said: "We are working hard to ensure the mix of historical research, testimonies from the factory’s female workforce, and artefacts from Tullie House Museum’s collection will add to our understanding of this part of Carlisle’s story."

In addition to a financial contribution towards the statue, Pladis - who now run the factory - will also work with its staff - from past and present - to engage them in the story behind the artwork.

Mike Heaney, factory general manager, Carlisle, said: "We are proud that our factory is part of the fabric of the local community, and this commission reflects and celebrates a key element of Carlisle’s distinctive social and industrial history.

"This public art work will help honour those who have helped shaped our city's history and we can’t wait for the unveiling."

The statue is privately funded, including a contribution from pladis, £65,000 from Sainsbury’s (as part of their development of a Caldewgate new superstore) and £5,000 from author Hunter Davies, who has a keen interest in the history of the McVitie’s site.

He wrote The Biscuit Girls - stories of six so called Cracker Packers working in the Carr’s biscuit factory.