A community group that is aiming to purchase a village pub has thanked local politicians for their 'genuine' support for the project. 

The Black Lion Community Group, which was formed in 2023, is endeavouring to bring Ireby's Black Lion under community ownership by the summer of 2024.

The group is currently working through an application for the assistance of the Community Ownership Fund (COF), a government grant that helps safeguard community assets, however, has also sought out backing from local political figures, with the Conservative MP Mark Jenkinson visiting the Black Lion on Thursday, February 17.

Labour's parliamentary candidate for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours is also set to visit the village pub on Thursday, February 29, whilst the community group has also received interest from Liberal Democrat candidate Julia Aglioby and the Green Party.

Ahead of the visit of Penrith and Solway's Labour candidate, Malcolm Boswell, a member of the Black Lion community group, thanked these political figures for their support.

He said: "I think the good news is, in fairness to both Mark and Markus, their backing is not just because there is an election campaign coming, when you speak to them there is a genuine understanding of the need for a community pub and transport. 

"I think it ties into the numerous reports about depopulation in Cumbria, rural isolation, mental health, and health issues and I read a report the other day about how the biggest causes of rural isolation are the lack of a shop, lack of a pub, and lack of a bus.

"Mark and Markus generally when you speak to them do seem interested, it is a community issue and perhaps not the biggest vote winner, it is genuine and it is important."