About 12 million people visit the Lakes every year

More than �1m has been awarded to the Lake District Upland Paths Landscape Restoration Project, to get the work under way.

The project will focus on 145 paths within the National Park, covering over 200 kilometres.

Around 12 million people visit the Lakes every year and out of this number, 87% go walking.

This means that more than 10 million people use the National Park's paths annually.

With so many feet pounding these routes, it has become essential that repair works are undertaken to the area.

Financial investment

The cash is needed to revitalise stretches of path that have become eroded and scarred by wear and tear.

It is also needed to provide a serious financial investment into an area that was particularly badly hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Liz Forgan, chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund said: "The Lake District is one of the UK's most valuable natural assets.

Hit the jackpot

"Having suffered much hardship over the last couple of years, the area was in desperate need of an economic boost.

"Lottery players may not always become millionaires through purchasing a ticket, but they really have hit the jackpot now.

"Heritage Lottery Fund money can't solve all the Lake District's problems by any means, but it will certainly contribute to the recovery of the local economy and instil renewed confidence in an area that has been through a difficult time."