CLEATOR Moor Town Council has supported an initiative to have the Coast to Coast walking route designated a National Trail.

The 190-mile trek from St Bees Head to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire, which passes Cleator Moor, was made famous by pioneering fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright.

Conservative MP Rishi Sunak who represents Richmond in North Yorkshire, launched the campaign at Surrender Bridge near Reeth in Swaledale.

The campaign is being backed by the Wainwright Society, whose chairman is renowned Cumbrian broadcaster Eric Robson who made a series of programmes with Wainwright.

National Trail designation would bring official recognition to the route together with public funding to help preserve, protect and promote it. There are 15 National Trails in England and Wales.