Money raised from higher council tax rates on second homes should be used to provide cheap housing in Cumbria, according to a housing trust.

Plans are under way to reduce the second home discount from 50% to as little as 10 % across the UK.

Kirsten Riding, from the Cumbria Rural Housing Trust, said: "If you have �250,000 to spend on a second home you are not going to think about a 90% council tax rate.

"If local councils decide to ring-fence that extra money to provide affordable housing in high-value areas, that is to be welcomed."

The government estimates that the changes could raise an extra �65m nationally for councils to invest locally.

There is a need for new homes in market towns and villages across Cumbria.

The Trust is to lobby the government to show that Cumbria needs more affordable housing.