The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is to provide £7m to fund 10 partnerships in the UK which will create apprenticeships in traditional heritage skills and crafts.

Sharon Goddard, Heritage Lottery Fund policy adviser for education, said: “There is an urgent need for an initiative like this. Heritage skills are in real danger of dying out, yet an estimated 6,590 additional skilled craftspeople are needed to meet shortages for the UK’s historic buildings alone.

“Our Training Bursary Scheme is designed to lead the fight to keep these essential skills alive by expanding the pool of skilled people and laying the foundations for more heritage training schemes.”

The skills shortages which will be addresses include millwriting and reed-cutting, paper conservation and topiary.

The 10 partner organisations which will receive training bursaries include English Heritage, The Broads Authority, The National Trust, Historic Scotland and The Institute of Conservation. Details: www.hlf.org.uk

Photograph: Topiary Garden at Levens Hall, Cumbria, www.britainonview.com