PRODUCTION company Tough Dough has been awarded nearly £10,000 to work with rural schools and communities across West Penwith this spring.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given the funds to the "Stepping the Tinners' Way" project, which will provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of this ancient route through walks, talks, workshops and film-making.

The route runs between St Just and St Ives, crossing the inland moors, ancient settlements and sites, hill forts and castles and it was used by tin traders as early as the Iron Age period up until the late 18th and early 19th century.

The award will bring the people of the present day local communities along the route together to celebrate their heritage and to explore the past through educational walks and creative learning activities and events for all ages.

These will include tea parties at which older residents will be able to share and record their memories and display old photographs and cuttings relating to the area.

Project co-coordinator Alessandra Ausenda said: "We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work with artists, local experts and volunteers to engage communities along such a rich historical and unique landscape." The Heritage Lottery Fund's head of region for the South West, Nerys Watts, added: "The Penwith area has a rich and varied heritage, ranging from spectacular landscapes and ancient monuments to industrial sites and artistic traditions.

"We are so pleased to support the 'Stepping the Tinners' Way' project to enable local people to explore these themes in such an exciting and innovative way."

For more information e-mail lizzie@lizzieblack.com or alessandraausenda@tiscali.co.uk or phone 01736 710834.