A CAMPAIGN to have Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast walk designated as a National Trail has received political support.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed together with the borough's mayor Mike Starkie have now endorsed the campaign.

Cleator Moor and Egremont town councils have also agreed to endorse the plan at recent meetings.

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

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, which include the Pennine Way and the Cleveland Way, which intersect with the Coast to Coast route.

Jamie Reed said: ”It is crucial that more tourists visit Copeland and see for themselves what a beautiful area we live in.

"Increased visitors numbers bring more monies spent in Copeland and more job opportunities as we move forward. The coast to coast walk is one of our gems that should become a National Trail.”

Mayor Mike Starkie agreed and said: “The Coast to Coast walk is now well established and deserves to be recognised as a designated National Trail. We will do everything we can to back the campaign”

BBC presenter Julia Bradbury, who is supporting the campaign, said: "As someone who has tackled this trail a number of times, and actively extolled the virtues and delights of the Coast to Coast Walk on TV/DVD and in book form, I am delighted to support the campaign."