Friends of the Lake District covers all of Cumbria and two stunning national parks - the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

Policy officer Jack Ellerby said: "Most of the funding for National Parks comes directly from central Government so budget cuts were inevitable. The fact is that National Park Authorities give great value for money to the taxpayer and each year 40 million people vote with their feet by visiting our National Parks.

‘Coming out of the second world war National Parks were created for the welfare of the whole nation. In this climate of economic hardship their role to lift people's spirits and self-belief could not be greater.

‘These budget cuts must not reduce the first class services which National Park Authorities provide, whether carefully managed public access and clearly signposted public rights of way, land management advice to farmers and landowners or positive planning guidance to help applicants get planning permission.

‘Friends of the Lake District will be working in partnership with both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks to support the excellent work they do for all of us."

For details of the Defra announcement see: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/what/documents/defra-alb-allocations-101220.pdf