A festival marking the life of a popular resident has been given a £2,000 boost.

Maryport Town Council’s finance committee agreed to a grant to mark the life of miner, artist and rock limber Bill Peascod.

The Settlement on Castle Hill in Maryport had planned a large festival, involving local schools and guest speakers including his London-based artist daughter Emma and Lakeland rock climber Bill Birkett, who used to climb with him.

Organiser Dolly Daniel said: “Bill was a remarkable man. He was born in Ellenborough, left school at an early age to become a miner. He studied mining engineering at night classes and then emigrated to Australia."

The festival, which would have marked his 100th birthday, was cancelled due to the coronavirus but will now be held next year.

The council grant will be used to allow 10 visits to local primary schools by a local artist to initiate an arts project around mining, mountain climbing and art, and to provide heritage plaque to be displayed at Shap’s Yard, the Fold, Ellenborough, the former residence of Mr Peascod.