A pair of Dearham tradesmen have breathed new life into one of Maryport's buildings by turning it into flats.

The former register office on Wood Street is being converted into five two-bedroom flats by plumber Stuart Cooper and decorator Mark Cartwright.

They have formed C&C Developments Cumbria to renovate buildings which have fallen out of use or into disrepair and sell or rent them as accommodation.

Work on the register office is due to be completed by the end of September.

The original radiators, beams and window surroundings of the sandstone building have all been maintained despite the modern facelift as the property is a listed building.

Mr Cartwright said: "We bought it at auction because with it being in the town centre it was ideal and it has a bit of car parking.

"This is the first of hopefully more.

"We don't know whether we're letting the flats or selling them yet.

"We think people will be moving into the area and it's handy for the town centre and facilities.

"It's a fine building and a nice project, we've kept a lot of the characteristics.

"We've not been working on it full-time because of our other businesses but we've been at it for about 18 months."