Cornish is granted protected status under European charter

The Cornish language is due to be given the same status as Welsh, Irish Gaelic and Scots Gaelic after the government submitted it for greater protections under a European charter.

- Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent

Kernewek, spoken as a first language by 563 people according to the last census, has been recommended by the government for part III status under the European charter for regional or minority languages, the highest level of protection available.

Languages protected under the charter must be actively promoted by government in education, courts, administration, media, culture, economic and social life, overseen by the Council of Europe.

It means that citizens have the right to use their protected language in legal hearings and in education.