a method of making a wind turbine blade incorporating a lightning protection system , the method comprising : providing a wind turbine blade mould ; arranging a protruding element in the mould ; arranging an electrically conductive layer over the protruding element in the mould ; arranging one or more structural layers and / or structural components over the electrically conductive layer ; consolidating the layers under vacuum to form a blade shell having an integrated electrically conductive layer proximate an outer surface of the shell ; separating the protruding element from the blade shell to define a recess in the outer surface of the shell , with the electrically conductive layer extending into the recess ; providing an electrical component of the lightning protection system adjacent an inner surface of the shell ; and electrically connecting the electrically conductive layer to the electrical component via a connecting member ; wherein an end portion of the connecting member is housed in the recess such that a surface of the connecting member abuts the electrically conductive layer across an interface region inside the recess , and such that the end portion does not substantially protrude from the outer surface of the shell .