The Cornish Language Fellowship has appointed a new community development officer to help groups start using Kernewek.

Known by its Cornish name of Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek, the fellowship has been joined by Peter Burton, who has more than 20 years of experience in working with community groups in the county.

He will be encouraging and helping organisations to use the Cornish language of Kernewek in their promotional materials and day-to-day activities. Mr Burton said: “This is a really exciting development for the Kowethas and the Cornish language.

“In recent years an increasing number of people have been taking an interest in learning and using Kernewek. All sorts of organisations are starting to use Cornish words and phrases in their promotional material, and the trend of giving Cornish names to children, pets, houses and boats is on the increase.

“I hope to build on this growing interest. There can be few people who do not know that Kernow is the Cornish word for Cornwall but by raising the profile of the language, I hope more and more Cornish words will become equally well-known and the Cornish language community will continue to grow.”

Kowethas chairman Loveday Jenkin said she was “delighted” to welcome Mr Burton to the fellowship.

Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek is a long-standing independent charity, which was set up to support and encourage members and others to use Cornish in their everyday life.

For more information about how Mr Burton might help organisations contact him on Mondays or Tuesdays at pederkowethas@gmail.org or phone on 07568 391977.