THOUSANDS of readers visit the Lake District each year, and, despite the problems of foot and mouth disease affecting farmers, the message from the National Park Authority, the tourist board, and the government, is that Cumbria is open for business, and people are being given every encouragement to visit.
It is true that you cannot walk on the fells, but the majority of visitors never pull on a pair of walking boots. The scenery is still there, and the county has more than 160 visitor attractions with the vast majority open for business.
Contrary to the impression given by the television news, some parts of the Cumbrian tourist industry are doing very well. But pubs and guest houses up the valleys have suffered a big loss in passing trade which needs to be quickly reversed.
When a factory or steelworks is in trouble there is little that most people can do except offer sympathy. To help businesses which rely on visitors is a much easier task. All you have to do is go and enjoy yourself!
CHRIS DAVIES (Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West), Castle Street, Stockport.
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