Heritage skills day to take place in North Devon

The event begins at 10:00 BST at Barnstaple Pannier Market

An event aimed at encouraging people to help protect and maintain local historic buildings is taking place.

North Devon Council has invited construction workers, tradespeople, building students and apprentices to its Heritage Skills Day.

During the day demonstrations from heritage experts will be held alongside career talks.

The council said the event would coincide with the launch of its new North Devon Heritage Skills website.

The Heritage Skills Project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to address heritage skills gaps in North Devon in a bid to protect historic buildings in the area.

Collette Hall, North Devon Council's conservation officer, said its buildings contributed to the "cultural identity of its towns and villages".

She said: "We have identified an ongoing shortage of local tradespeople in the heritage sector, which reflects the national landscape.

"Our Heritage Construction Skills project - of which a central part is the new website - aims to address this shortage by supporting the training and development of the skills needed to maintain the historic buildings and places of North Devon, where we live, work, learn and play."

The event is being held at Barnstaple Pannier Market from 10:00 to 15:00 BST.