Revealed, Cornwall’s continental secret …

it has been one of many reasons why Cornwall stands out from the rest of the nation.

now scientists believe they have finally worked out why the county had enough tin to support mining for 4,000 years.

they already knew the West Country had vast deposits of the metal, like Brittany in France and other parts of Europe but not other regions in Britain.

now research suggests it is because Cornwall shares the ancient landmass of armorica with Europe – making its rocks match. it had been thought the geological border was under the Channel. But a study of rock features in Cornwall and south devon reveals a clear boundary on British soil, reports the journal nature Communications.

dr arjan dijkstra, who led the study from the University of Plymouth, said: ‘it explains the immense mineral wealth of South-West England, which had been something of a mystery.’

the last Cornish tin mine, South Crofty near Camborne, shut in 1998 after producing tin since the 16th century. Soaring prices led to plans being unveiled this year to reopen it.