Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Hunday Manor for Conservative Party event

He met with candidates who will be standing in the upcoming local elections and made a "humorous" speech at the hotel in Winscales, near Workington.

The Prime Minister had been due to visit Energus at Lillyhall and The Beacon in Whitehaven while in west Cumbria, but had to cut short his trip in light of the situation in Ukraine.

He had taken a call with US President Joe Biden about the ongoing crisis, before arriving at Hunday Manor for the event, which was attended by about 60 people.

Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, was among those to welcome the Prime Minister to west Cumbria.

He said: "At a time of crisis, the fact that he has come to west Cumbria - I can't remember the last time a sitting Prime Minister visited west Cumbria.

"It's a shame that it had to be cut short but obviously we have got a major crisis with the Ukraine and he's got to give that his full attention.

"He did a speech - it was very good, very humourous. He made some good points. He was there to support the local elections coming up and talked about levelling up and getting on with the agenda."

Copeland Conservative Association with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

When speaking to the Prime Minister, Mr Starkie voiced his support for the west Cumbria mining application, which is currently being considered by the Planning Inspector after a four-week inquiry.

Mr Starkie said: "I made the case on west Cumbria mine, as did a number of others. He was left in no doubt how the majority of people in west Cumbria feel about West Cumbria Mining.

"I made a case quite strongly, that I was in support of the mine, as are the majority of constituents in west Cumbria. He got that message very clearly from not just me, but a number of others who were there as well.

"A number of people made points to him. We want the mine but we also want fusion reactors and SMRs and the nuclear stuff as well."

Also in attendance were Conservative MPs Trudy Harrison, Mark Jenkinson, Simon Fell and John Stevenson, as well as members of Copeland Conservatives.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison and her daughters with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Trudy Harrison, Copeland MP, said: "We were pleased to discuss the future of Cumberland with the Prime Minister during his visit on Monday.

"The Prime Minister was on top form, engaging with local leaders; he made time for everyone and all were thrilled to have his ear.

"On Tuesday, we had a morning planned at The Beacon Museum with the National Nuclear Laboratory and Rolls Royce to make our case for future power station sitings in Copeland.

"We were obviously disappointed, but understanding however, of his need to return to London earlier than planned, due to impending threats by Russia.

"However, he has committed to return to Cumbria soon."