VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help find out how dark Cumbria's skies are.

The Friends of the Lake District is looking to create a 'Dark Sky Reserve' in the county.

“We want to ascertain just how good our dark skies are, as well as where they could be better," said the conservation charity's dark skies officer, Johanna Korndorfer. "This will help determine where we can create a ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ within Cumbria.

“Committed volunteers are needed to take dark sky meter readings in five different places around the county. We’ll pick areas closest to where you live and train you on how to use the meter readers and when to take the readings.

"The data will then be added to our evolving map of dark sky readings. Volunteers will go out and take meter readings in pairs, which is safer and more fun. The first round of readings will be taken between November 23 and 30, when the skies are darkest at the time of no moonlight.”

Cumbria has some of the darkest skies in the country, where people are still able to see the spectacular natural wonders of the stars above. Friends of the Lake District is leading work to gain internationally recognised Dark Skies Reserve status in Cumbria, to help protect this darkness.

Anyone who would like to volunteer, should contact Johanna at info@fld.org.uk. Training will take place in mid-November.

For more information about the Dark Skies Cumbria project, see www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/dark-skies