Lake District 'under siege' from development, protesters warn Published duration 1 February

image caption Marchers gathered in the centre of Grasmere ahead of the protest

Hundreds of campaigners warning the Lake District is "under siege" from development have staged a protest march.

Protesters walked from the centre of Grasmere to the lakeshore at 11:00 GMT.

The Friends of the Lake District and Houseboats Off Grasmere groups are calling for an "urgent" move away from "commercialisation".

The Lake District National Park Authority said it worked to ensure schemes were "appropriate".

'Protection not promotion'

"We're sending a message out to any firms thinking they come into the valley and exploit it for commercial gain," said Andy Astle, of Houseboats Off Grasmere.

"There are problems across the Lake District and a lot of them are down to the management of the park.

"The park authority should be protecting the area rather than promoting it."

image copyright Getty Images image caption Protesters say the "tranquillity" of Grasmere and its surrounding areas is at stake

Mr Astle said he believed "developments should be small-scale and fit in with their surroundings".

'Special place'

Andrew Tait, of Friends of the Lake District, added: "Tourism relies upon the landscapes and we want to see the landscapes protected. We are under siege."

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron and filmmaker Terry Abraham attended the event.

The Lake District National Park Authority said it works with 25 partner organisations to "secure long-term sustainability".

"As the planning authority, we share their aim and have the highest possible controls to ensure development is appropriate to its location, communities and landscape," a spokeswoman added.