THE North East Yorkshire Geology Trust has secured £60,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and partners to study the life of a leading figure in the geology world – Lewis Hunton.

Mike Windle, director of the trust, said: “The project will celebrate the life of the 24-year-old geologist, whose work would become known as biostratigraphy, which has been fundamental to the development of the science of geology.”

Lewis was born in North Yorkshire, in 1814, and made a critical advance in geology.

Mr Windle said: “Engaging young people and schoolchildren is crucial in deprived regions and is central to the ethos of the trust.”

Matt Parsons, education and skills manager at York Potash, one of the supporters of the project, said: “This is a great community project to be supporting, especially because private funding can be matched with public money to help the project go further. We are committed to working with partners to raise awareness of science and especially geology.”

Lewis’s life will be celebrated with active geo-conservation or sites, blue plaques and interpretation panels.

Other funding contributors to the project include the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Robin Hood’s Bay Rock and Fossil Group, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and St Benedict’s Primary School, Ampleforth.