Climate activists have lashed out over the prospect of a Rail Loading Facility in west Cumbria, which is part of the controversial proposals for a new coal mine in the area.

The development of the Woodhouse Colliery coal mine, planned or Whitehaven, would require a Rail Loading Facility in the Pow Beck Valley to transport the coal from the mine - something Friends of the Earth say would be a "huge blot on the landscape".

A public enquiry into the coal mine, which started on Tuesday September 7, continues.

Friends of the Earth are also claiming that the Rail Loading Facility, which would run from St Bees to Whitehaven, could risk devaluing tourism in the area.

"A Rail Loading Facility would have a terrible impact on the peace and beauty of the Pow Beck Valley and the area’s significant tourism potential," said Friends of the Earth North West campaigner, Estelle Worthington.

"West Cumbria deserves so much better than this huge blot on the landscape.

"The government must insist on leaving coal in the ground, and help put Cumbria at the forefront of building a cleaner future by investing in the area’s huge green industry potential, and the new jobs this would bring."

Mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie, played down fears that a Rail Loading Facility could have such an impact.

He said: "The Friends of the Earth are making some ridiculous claims and this is near the top of the list of the most severe ones.

"The Rail Loading Facility [would be] down in the Pow Beck Valley, which won't have attracted tourists ever.

"The design of the buildings are sympathetic to the local environment.

"Ninety per cent of the population of Copeland are very much behind this mine and what we are likely to see if it gets given the go ahead is an upgrade to the railway, which will actually be beneficial for attracting more industry and more tourists into the area."

The panel from the on-going public enquiry are due to visit the West Cumbrian Mining site at Kells, Whitehaven on Monday October 4.

A residents' group in favour of the mine, We Support West Cumbria Mining (WSWCM), see the day as an opportunity to vocalise their support for it.

John Greasley from WSWCM said: "We as a support group for the mine have been inundated with messages of support and our social media pages have grown fourfold over the last month.

"There has been a small band of protesters voicing their opinions, mainly people from out of the county, however, our supporters cannot wait to welcome the panel and voice our support for this much needed, world class project."