Campaigners are to ask the National Park Authority to ban genetically modified (GM) crops in in the Lake District.

Marianne Bennett of South Lakeland Friends of the Earth will be talking to the scrutiny committee on Tuesday.

She believes that if GM plants are allowed into the park, they could jeopardise the safety and quality of food, endanger wildlife and potentially contaminate conventional crops.

She wants the authority to declare the Lake District a GM Free area under European legislation.

But National Park officials say they do not believe the National Park Authority has any power in the matter.

It suggests that since the competent authority under the directive is the government ministry, Defra, Friends of the Earth should pursue their case there.

South Lakeland Friends of the Earth has been seeking support for its GM Free Lake District campaign from Lake District residents.