More than 700 pupils have entered a competition to design a new Cumbrian bank note.

The youngsters go to schools that make up the academy group Cumbria Education Trust.

They are the primary schools at Tebay, Yanwath and Longtown and Yewdale in the west of Carlisle.

There are also the secondary schools of William Howard School in Brampton and Workington Academy.

The trust's leading financial and careers educator, Tracey Hill, teamed up with those behind the recently-launched Lake District Pound.

The competition ran during the annual My Money Week, a time when schools are encouraged to raise the profile of financial topics.

The Lake District Pound is an annual currency – with exciting new designs launching each year.

Pupils were invited to design their own note, including a person they feel should be on a Lake District Pound.

Judging has been taking place this week and winners will be notified in due course.

Each school winner will receive a £100 Junior ISA. The overall winner from across the trust will get a £250 one.

Mrs Hill said: "We've had over 700 entries. They've all really considered who they would like.

"The pupils have thought of so many people. Many are familiar faces today like the broadcaster Helen Skelton and netballer Helen Housby but also those I'm not too sure of and will have to look up like Arthur Eddington. The year three pupil says he was a scientist who did great things.

"We've also had ones like fellrunner Joss Naylor, MP Rory Stewart and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nick Miller. We've even got one with Robbie Dee on it."
She added: "They bring out new designs for the Lake District Pound every year so hopefully the children's ideas can help inspire future ones."

The My Money Week competition is always popular among pupils.

Two years ago Mrs Hill, a national award-winning financial education teacher, worked with Innovia Security to encourage pupils to design a bank note with a Cumbrian theme when plastic Bank of England notes were being introduced.

Last year she worked with the Cumberland Building Society on a similar competition.

Mrs Hill said: "The Lake District Pound offers a real celebration of the people from Cumbria and our students and pupils will be able to learn from their research about the impact these people had on the local area."

What is the Lake District Pound?

The Lake District Pound, launched on May 1, is the only local currency in operation in England.

The notes, which come in denominations of £LD1, £LD5, £LD10 and £LD20, can be spent in over 200 locally owned businesses.

Hopes are that the scheme will be extended to more areas and businesses next year.

The currency can be used interchangeably with and alongside sterling, but can only be spent in locally owned, independent businesses and tourist attractions.

The Lake District Pound is an annual currency. New currency will be released each year and be valid from January 31 for 12 months.

People can also swap leftover Lake District Pounds back to sterling at any time during their period of validity.

People can exchange their sterling for Lake District pounds at a number of outlets across the region, including at most Post Offices.

They can then swap their Lake District Pounds back to sterling any time during their period of validity, at an exchange point or by sending them back to the Lakes Currency Project.

Every time someone keeps an LD£ as a memento, it creates proceeds that will be divided between Cumbria Community Foundation and the Lake District Foundation.