Luke was invited by Land of Iron to the opening event for the new museum.

The former Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum’s £2.3m new building was declared officially open by the Honourable Joanna Pease – direct descendant of the Pease family of industrialists who took ownership of the original mine in 1865. The museum also celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking its original opening in 1983 as the Tom Leonard Mining Museum. Its new state-of-the art exhibition, mine tour and education facilities are well-positioned to preserve the legacy of East Cleveland’s industrial past.

Luke joined Deputy Lieutenant Sir Harry Wilmot and representatives of The National Lottery Heritage Fund on a private tour of the mine, where they thanked the staff and volunteers.

Luke said: “It was wonderful to be invited to the launch of the brilliant Land of Iron in Skinningrove today. Having grown up in Brotton, I have great memories of the old museum, and it’s a huge credit to the team and the many community groups involved that it’s been revamped and given its amazing new building and permanent exhibition.

“I will be working with schools and youth groups to make sure local children can make the most of this brilliant local asset and learn about our local mining heritage.”