Derbyshire firm recruits apprentices to pass on 'dying' skills

A 200-year-old Derbyshire firm has seen a resurgence in work repairing boilers, driven by the interest and growth in heritage steam engines for ships, traction engines, pumping stations and railways.

Israel Newton & Sons in Cromford has won part of a £500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to recruit two new apprentices to help meet the demand.

Gordon Newton from the family firm said as older skilled workers retired, it was important to pass on knowledge and skills to younger apprentices.

Henry Cleary, from the Boiler and Engineering Skills Training Trust, secured the grant and believes it's the first boiler making apprenticeship for 50 years.