There will be further talks about Talkin Tarn's future

The move follows a claim by opposition councillors on Cumbria County Council that some information about the proposed sale of Talkin Tarn, near Brampton, was withheld.

Now the council's ruling Cabinet has agreed to discuss the issue again.

The decision by Cumbria County Council to sell off part of the 185-acre park near Brampton has provoked widespread opposition.

A final decision on the issue is now expected to be made in the autumn.

The park, which is owned and managed by the county council, includes the 65-acre tarn, woodland and wetland, tea room, boating facilities, education room, grazing land, campsite and a hotel.

The council says it is losing more than �30,000 a year and to bring it up to modern hygiene, disability access and health and safety standards would cost up to �750,000.

But campaigners say the deficit could be cut by better management and fear that any sell-off of land could lead to developments such as caravan parks or holiday lodges which would harm the park and its wildlife

Connie Ridley, who chairs Brampton Parish Council, welcomed Cumbria County Council's decision.

She said further debate would give more time to find a council-backed rescue plan for the Tarn.

The decision to sell came after proposals from management consultants PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which recommended a series of cuts in September 2002.