A Keswick councillor is leading the charge to improve bus services for people from West Cumbria seeking work opportunities in the North Lakes.

With the hospitality industry, in particular, currently experiencing shortages in personnel, the news will undoubtedly be welcomed by both jobseekers and venue owners alike.

Tony Lywood, who is a town and county councillor for Keswick confirmed that he has held talks with Rob Jones, the head of Stagecoach about a new scheme that would cut fare prices and fares for those wanting to venture to the North Lakes to work.

Mr Lywood outlined that the LEP, Cumbria Tourism and the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce have been involved putting a potential scheme together.

He said: "Two things eill have to happen at the same time- there will need to be a jobs fair done in Whitehaven. At the same time, an announcement will have to be made of Stagecoach's plans.

"I'm now encouraging this on both sides. The money that goes out rom the Lake District by itself to peripheral areas like Cleator Moor, Egremont and Whitehaven is very small. Employment is one of the ways we can ensure that the Lake District is helping in that respect.

Currently, it is estimated that 20 per cent of young people in West Cumbria are jobless.

"The quicker we can get people into work, the quicker we can help to give people that purpose and vision.

Coupled with the boost for West Cumbrian residents, Mr Lywood also forecasts that the scheme would plug the gap when it comes to the labour shortages currently being experienced in the Cumbria's Lakes District tourist hotspots.

He stated: We need to help to get businesses back on their feet. Also, it's clear that even for a normal holiday season, venues would be struggling for staff. So with staycations popular at the moment, the lack of staff is posing even more of an issue.

Labour shortages are also exacerbated by a relative lack of workers from the European Union (EU) when compared with previous summers, due to work permits now being a requirement for EU nationals, Mr Lywood asserts. In a bid to ensure that businesses still have enough staff, he contends that it is vital that people from areas of high unemployment are given a chance to work.

"There's many less EU nationals due to work permits now being needed to work in hospitality jobs. I think there's a downhill flow of water where we have areas of high employment and areas with low employment. So it's about making it easier to help people move about our region."