AN APPEAL has been launched to “celebrate and share” the industrial history and cultural heritage of a west Cumbrian town.

Dave Farrell, owner of Farrell Sports in Cleator Moor and member of the Town Fund board wants to see more made of the area’s history and culture in its regeneration.

In particular, he is interested to see the town make more of its links with legendary Manchester artist L.S Lowry.

He said: “L.S Lowry is arguably on of the most important British artists of the 20th century.”

The Laurence Stephen Lowry is renowned for his unflinchingly realistic portrayals of life in the industrial era. Five of his paintings depict life in Cleator Moor during that period which Mr Farrell believes should be celebrated more.

“Let’s use what we have, celebrate what we have and share it in the anticipation that it’ll bring economic benefits to the town.”

Mr Farrell has been trying to get in touch with The Lowry in Salford to get the theatre and art gallery on board.

“Forming links with The Lowry would be massive.”

He believes it has never been a better time to take advantage of Cleator Moor’s untapped tourism potential.

“There’s a rich and interesting heritage that belongs to Cleator Moor from the industry and the people that work in those industries to art and sport, it’s all part of a bigger picture.

“For a tourist in Keswick, the heritage of Cleator Moor could provide an interesting way to spend an afternoon.

“There’s two things going on in Cleator Moor which bring this into sharp focus.

“The first is that elected mayor Mike Starkie is saying Copeland should be looking to take advantage of its proximity to the Lake District, especially now it’s got world heritage status.”

He said that the second reason to take advantage of Cleator Moor’s heritage is the Towns Fund works.

“There’s no specific reference in the plans about Lowry, that doesn’t mean we can’t go forward with it. As far as I can see Cleator Moor is the one community outside of Manchester and Salford that he painted.”

Mr Farrell has been pushing to represent Cleator Moor’s cultural heritage as “bolt ons” to the Town’s Fund plans which will regenerate the area.

He added that the town has untapped stories dating back to World War One.

“The different groups that came to work in Cleator Moor from the Irish and Cornish tin miners, an Italian influx of people to work in the mines. The possibilities are endless. It’s just getting organised to do it.”