The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded five UK landscapes grants totalling £9m to restore and safeguard the areas.

The five landscapes are Cornwall’s Atlantic Coast and Valleys Project (£1.3m plus £148,000 development funding); The Dalriada Project in mid-Argyll (£1.8m plus £145,500 development funding); Unique North Pennines (£2m plus £41,300 development funding); Bassenthwaite Reflections in the Lake District (£1.9m plus £38,400 development funding) and Heather and Hillforts in north east Wales (£1.5m plus £102,500 development funding).

The grants have been awarded through HLF’s Landscape Partnership Scheme which comprises a portfolio of individual projects around the UK and enables community partnerships to work together to tackle the environmental needs of their local landscapes.

Rural affairs, landscape and biodiversity minister Jim Knight said: “I fully support the work of the HLF and am particularly delighted with the projects which have been awarded funding for this year.

“All of these projects are extremely exciting as they are both contributing to the preservation and restoration of Britain’s valued rural heritage and safeguarding it for future generations.” Details: www.hlf.org.uk