Broadcaster Melvyn Bragg has accused the National Trust of bullying after it acquired farmland in Borrowdale.

Last month, the charity bought Thorneythwaite Farm, near Keswick, which has a flock of 413 herdwick sheep.

But the trust did not buy the farmhouse and there are now concerns about what will happen to the sheep, which the charity owns.

Lord Bragg said it was a "disgraceful purchase" and a "nasty piece of work", adding that its opening bid of £200,000 above the £750,000 guide price to put off other potential buyers was "straight out of the Mafia".

In a letter to the Times newspaper he accused the National Trust of behaving very badly, yet considering itself beyond criticism, and accused its director-general, Dame Helen Ghosh, of behaving very dictatorially.

He said: "Had a billionaire bullied his way into this disgraceful purchase there would have been a deserved outcry."

It has been reported that its actions had upset residents of Borrowdale and farmers who had hoped to buy the house and land and keep it running as a working farm.

Lord Bragg said the Lake District's historic farming system and rare native herdwick sheep as being key to its nomination for recognition as a Unesco World Heritage site.

He said: "If the increasingly arrogant National Trust is there to protect anything of our past surely this is a prime example.

"The National Trust is about to destroy what centuries of working men and women have created.

It used a shameful manoeuvre to achieve its aim. Who can check this bullying charity?"

A trust spokesman said it wanted the 303 acres of land for its value to wildlife.

It added: "We believe we can look after this land in a way that benefits nature, visitors and the local community."