Councillors are considering bringing in changes to the Appleby horse fair, which attracts thousands of people from all over the country.

The fair, popular with the UK's travelling community, was marred in June by the death of a father and son from County Durham.

Stewart Nicholson, 43, and son Connor, six, died after their horse-drawn carriage and a tanker were in collision on the A66 near Coupland Beck in Appleby.

Mr Nicholson was a member of the travelling community.

Safety concerns

Eden District Council's environment committee is to consider several changes to the organisation of the next fair.

For years there have been safety concerns over the Flashing Lane - where horses are run - at speeds of up to 40mph.

One option being considered is to close the road to pedestrians.

Councillors will also discuss whether to bring the date of the fair forward by one week.

It is hoped the date would be more convenient for the hundreds of travellers who come from all over the UK for the event.

But the council has stressed travellers will be fully consulted before any changes come into force.

Cumbria Police said about 11,000 travellers descended on Appleby for the last fair in June.