proposals meanincrease in size

The national park was established in 1954 and now covers 680 square miles, although the proposals to extend the boundaries further into Cumbria and include a small part of Lancashire could see its size increase by nearly a quarter.

The plans announced by Natural England in December could mean that another 156 square miles are included – an increase of nearly 23 per cent.

A total of 81 square miles of the national park currently falls in Cumbria, although the remainder is within North Yorkshire.

A consultation exercise will continue until next month and the results will inform any decision that Natural England makes.

Confirmation of any new boundaries would then subject to approval by the Environment Secretary, currently Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn, and there could be a public inquiry.