THE Lake District National Park has been awarded a share of a new £4.4 million 'lifeline' for England's national parks.

The announcement by the Government will also see the Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund extended until 2025.

The Lake District National Park Authority will benefit to the tune of £440,000 to support services such as visitor centres and park rangers.

The funding award is in recognition of the vital role that our national parks play in protecting our precious wildlife and landscapes and the importance they have for tourism, the regional economy, and public access.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “Our National Parks are the jewel in our cherished landscapes. They support thriving communities, economies, wildlife and are important places for public health and wellbeing.

“This additional grant will support the important work that National Park Authorities do across our countryside, and allow local people and visitors to enjoy these much loved spaces”

The funding will help protect vital assets, such as education centres and ranger services, and will provide more opportunities for people to enjoy National Parks. It could also be used to support the creation of new trails, residential programmes and mobility schemes. It will also support access and engagement programmes helping to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of these protected landscapes.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, currently delivered across 10 National Parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) since 2021, will also be extended until March 2025. This will enable National Parks and AONBs to continue delivering outcomes for nature, climate, people and place.

The three-year Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme was launched in 2021 by the government (Defra) and is being managed locally by the Lake District National Park Authority. Lake District farmers and landowners are being offered funding for a variety of projects under the four themes: climate, nature, people and place.

The 10 National Park Authorities to benefit from an equal share of the £4.4 million grant are: Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, North Yorkshire Moors, Northumberland, Peak District, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales.