A £50,000 project to improve a Westcountry area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) by burying overhead power cables has been completed after an 18-month process.

The joint project between the National Trust, Western Power Distribution, the Cornwall AONB Partnership and the South West Protected Landscapes Forum has lain 2.3 kilometres of cable below ground on National Trust-owned land between St Just-in-Roseland and St Mawes in Cornwall.

The section of cable, which was highly visible on the skyline from both the land and the Fal estuary, was buried after an agreement between electricity distribution companies and the industry regulator Ofgem.

The agreement allows companies such as Western Power Distribution to improve the landscape by investing in the burial of overhead power lines in AONBs and national parks. In this case, the National Trust funded the £50,000 cost of trenching and burying of cables, with Western Power Distribution contributing the cost of the new cables and substations.

Consents and wayleaves manager for Western Power Distribution Christian Hjelm said: "This scheme is one of a number of iconic sites we are supporting under the current Ofgem scheme. This project involved the under-grounding of 2,300 metres of cable, building two new substations and removing 26 wooden poles."

The Cornwall AONB Partnership, which has campaigned for the protection of the Cornish landscape since its formation in 2002, was heavily involved in the decision-making process.

Partnership manager Colette Holden said: "We are delighted that we were able to bring forward this scheme to Western Power Distribution for under-grounding at St Mawes.

"This stretch of coast path is absolutely breathtaking and now looks even better without the overhead wires which used to break up the amazing view.

"This is a brilliant example of a group of organisations working in true partnership and going that extra mile to enhance the nationally protected landscape of the Cornwall area of outstanding natural beauty.

"We look forward to developing more schemes in the coming years," she added.

National Trust head ranger Bill Makin describes the project as a "great example" of the organisation's commitment to protecting Britain's landscape.

Mr Makin said: "The overhead wires that existed until now were a major distraction from the otherwise natural landscape we have worked work hard to maintain and improve over many decades.

"It's been great to be involved in something that makes such a positive impact on this much-loved section of coast."