AN ambitious restoration project at an historic South Lakeland building has received a major cash boost.

An £899,000 grant towards restoration work at Conishead Priory, near Ulverston, has been approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The building work, involving replacing slate roofs and fibre glass gutters as well as repairing stone features, is due to start at the end of October, with Leck Construction of Barrow carrying out the work. A second phase of the project, which will see landmark sandstone towers temporarily braced and then rebuilt, is expected to follow in late 2005.

Conishead Priory houses the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre. Last month 15 residents and friends completed a sponsored trek in the Lakeland fells, covering six days and 76.5 miles, raising around £15,000 towards the £1.2 million project.

Project manager Kelsang Tsering and project administrator Kelsang Pagpa said: "We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded this essential grant, which will enable us to carry out urgent roof repairs and thus secure the future of this much-loved building for many future generations of residents and visitors."

The Priory will remain open to the public throughout the building work.