Plans for the £7m redevelop Keswick's redundant pencil factory have taken a step forward.

Keswick Ministries wants to refurbish the art deco building and turn it into a new home for its annual Christian convention.

Plans have now been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority and the charity hopes to begin work later this year, subject to consent being granted.

It hopes to hold the 2019 convention on a new integrated site using the pencil factory and surrounding land, off Carding Mill Lane, and the charity's neighbouring Rawnsley site, where some of the event's activities already take place.

The charity announced in July 2015 that it wanted to develop the site into a new home for the convention in a scheme labelled the Derwent Project.

Last summer it was revealed that Cockermouth architects Day Cummins had come up with plans that would allow the charity to save the existing building, which was considered iconic by many in the town.

Under the proposals, offices, meeting rooms, an auditorium and toilets would be created in the factory building, along with accommodation to be used by convention volunteers during the event and visiting groups at other times.

The charity plans to put up a 3,850-seater rigid PVC marquee next to the river each summer for use during the convention.

So far £4m has been secured towards the project, with another £3m still to be raised.

"The Derwent Project plans are really exciting for us and the town," said James Robson, the charity's ministry director.

"Keswick Ministries will be able to welcome regular small groups of visitors outside of peak holiday times, and Keswick will gain a conference centre providing valuable business and local community use all year round.

"The plans will also make us better neighbours during the convention, which is really important to us. It will mean the convention is more contained, and we’ll be able to hold more of our events indoors.”

"We are really positive about what this redevelopment will mean for the town, preserving a great piece of our shared heritage and bringing economic benefits to Keswick."

The factory has been empty since 2008 when the Cumberland Pencil Company moved to a new site at Lillyhall, Workington.

The existing pencil museum is unaffected by the plans but its car park is set to be upgraded.

Full details of the plans can be viewed at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up at the factory building ahead of work beginning.

Nightly and weekend security patrols have been brought in, along with anti-climb grease and CCTV, to keep the site safe and secure after recent trespass.

Keswick Ministries' Skiddaw Street base is set to be sold once the convention has moved.

Keswick Convention began in 1875 on the lawn at St John's Church vicarage.

Now a three-week event, it currently attracts an estimted 12,000 to 15,000 visitors to the town each year, bringing an estimated £2.5 million into the local economy annually.

The charity is fundraising for the project. To donate visit keswickministries.org/derwent

This year's convention runs from July 14 to August 3. For more details visit keswickministries.org