The area has been trying for World Heritage status since 1985

The Lake District National Park Authority has been trying since 1985 to win World Heritage status by Unesco, which is part of the United Nations.

Organisers said it would bring the sort of kudos which might attract more visitors and help when getting finance from the government.

However, some people have expressed concerns it could lead to even stricter controls on development and damage the tourism industry.

Supporters have said that although the status would not attract money directly, the government would be more likely to give extra funding if the area had world status.

Inward investment

Paul Tiplady, from the National Park Authority, said the money would be well spent.

He said: "We believe the Lake District is the country's finest landscape.

"We need the government to believe that too so that thy will start putting the resources into Cumbria that Cumbria desperately needs.

"One way of achieving that is to get the world to say that Cumbria has England's finest landscape.

"World Heritage status gives a very simple marker that the area is very special.

"I estimate we would need something like �300,000 over two years to undertake the project work.

"Cumbria and the west coast needs more inward investment and �300,000 may be a very cheap way of getting it."