Leaders from coastal communities across the country paid a visit to Allerdale to learn about living and working in the area.

Allerdale Council hosted a delegation from the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Coastal Special Interest Group (SIG) last week, who took in a series of visits to different communities and locations on the coast.

It was part of a national work for coastal communities to learn from each other.

During their three days in the area they took in visits to the Port of Silloth, Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport, learned about the Maryport Regeneration Project and small village tourism in Allonby.

They also found out about the conservation and nature work of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the cross-border collaboration of the Solway Firth Partnership and heard a presentation from Alex Gibbons on ‘Clay dabbins on the Solway’.

The group, from local authorities in Scarborough, Lewes, Tyneside, Dorset, Suffolk and Norfolk, were also welcomed to Harrington Marina by the Mayor of Allerdale, Hilary Harrington.

Silloth councillor and executive member John Cook also joined in on the trip.

Councillor Harrington said: “It was great to welcome the group to Allerdale and share ideas and experiences of working, living and managing the coastline. We took a great deal from them and we hope they learned a lot from us.”

The trip culminated with meeting at Carlisle’s Hallmark Hotel for members of the national LGA Coastal SIG.