More than £3.2 million is being invested into saving 20 historic barns across the Lake District.

The barns, which have withstood more than 250 years of Lake District weather, are being repaired thanks to more than £2.6 million from DEFRA and more than £550,000 from applicants.

The repairs on the buildings range from small-scale, specialist timber repairs to whole re-roofs and structural masonry work.

Some barns have unavoidable structural issues, with trusses failing.

Others have suffered from past, inappropriate repairs including the use of cement mortars and poorly repaired roofs.

At Brimmer Head, Easedale, a small and rare field barn is being restored thanks to a grant.

The barns are being repaired thanks to investment from DEFRA and applicants (Image: Lake District National Park Authority) Rose Lord, the Lake District National Park Authority’s built environment adviser, said: "Our traditional Lake District barns are incredibly important.

"They are part of the agricultural heritage of the area and a reason for its World Heritage Site status.

"These historic features greatly enhance the cultural landscape and it’s why many people love the Lake District.

"Many barns continue to be essential to the business of farming and all provide great homes for nature.

"With this funding, we can support farmers to repair and maintain these buildings in a way that supports the area’s economy and supply chains.

"This also keeps traditional building skills alive.

"Plus, materials are local and from sustainable sources, for instance, riven oak through Cumbria Woodlands, and lime from Eden Hot Lime.

"Locally quarried slate reduces transport miles and fits traditional building styles."

The work will help to meet Cumbria’s ambition to be a net zero carbon county by 2037.

Ms Lord said: "Repairing traditional buildings is an inherently sustainable thing to do.

"Energy has gone into winning the raw materials, transporting them to site and constructing the building.

"As we think about reducing our carbon footprint and living more sustainably, traditional buildings can offer us some useful pointers including ‘repair not replace’, ‘repurpose rather than demolish’."

In addition, the money invested will generate £4.55 in the economy for every £1 spent over a five-year period, rising to £6.07 over 10 years.

Barns are being restored with locally sourced materials (Image: Lake District National Park Authority) In the south, £436,172 is being spent on restoring and renovating Henry’s Castle at Underbarrrow, Chapel House, Cartmel Fell, and Hall Farm, Rusland.

In the central Lake District, £415,767 is being spent on restoring and renovating Townend Bank Barn, Troutbeck, The Brow, Little Langdale, Brimmer Head, Easedale, Robinson Place, Great Langdale, Wall End, Great Langdale, Holme Ground, Tilberthwaite, and Dale End, Little Langdale.

In the north lakes, £1,336,612 is being spent on restoring and renovating Wallthwaite Hogg House, near Threlkeld, Wallthwaite Courtyard, near Threlkeld, Yew Tree Farm, St Johns in the Vale, Gate Ghyll, Threlkeld, Low Nest, Naddle, near Keswick, and Low Beckside, Mungrisedale.

In the west lakes, £732,559 is being spent on restoring and renovating Stickle Cruck Barn, Broughton Mills, and Taw House, Eskdale.

In the east of the Lake District, £203,696 is being spent on restoring and renovating Cote Farm, Howtown, and Hogg House above Hartsop.