Cockermouth architects Day Cummins have been appointed to work on the redevelopment of Keswick's former pencil factory site.

Keswick Ministries has appointed the firm to help it draw up plans to turn the site, and its neighbouring Rawnsley site, into an integrated base for its annual Christian convention.

The company beat a number of others from across northern England which bid for the contract.

James Devenish, business director for Keswick Ministries, said: "Day Cummins stood out by far in our recent tendering process.

"Their understanding of our local requirements, including the need for flood resilience, is exemplary and their design ideas stunning.

"We could not be more delighted with this appointment and are looking forward to seeing our vision for this site become reality."

Keswick Ministries launched a fundraising appeal in July 2015 to buy and develop the pencil factory site.

The land had been secured on its behalf by a Christian trust and in January it was revealed that the charity had raised the £3 million needed to take ownership of the site.

While this year's convention will be split across its current Skiddaw Street and Rawnsley sites as usual, the charity hopes next year's will be on the new integrated site.

In time, the charity wants to build an auditorium on the new site, which could be hired out for conferences and events as well as hosting its own activities.

Keswick Ministries has appointed Baker Mallett as quantity surveyor and project manager to co-ordinate the design team working on the

development of the site.

The charity's current Skiddaw Street site is set to eventually be sold.

Stuart Woodall, architect and managing director at Day Cummins, said: "We are really pleased to be appointed as architects to this prestigious project.

"We see this project as a key scheme within Keswick. We hope to breathe new life into this site, which has sat vacant for several years.

"We are keen to engage with Keswick Ministries and move forward towards 2018 with the convention operating from its new site.

"The scheme is close to our hearts, having worked extensively in Keswick for the past decade, including schemes such as Calvert Way and The Hopes with Keswick Community Housing Trust."